DOJ sues Virginia over 2 laws limiting masked federal agents
What's next: The laws signed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger are set to take effect in July unless a court blocks them.
The Justice Department sued Virginia on Thursday, arguing two new state laws unconstitutionally interfere with federal immigration enforcement and endanger officers. The complaint challenges one law that would bar on-duty law enforcement, including federal agents, from wearing face coverings and require identifying information to be displayed, and another that would add state conditions to local agreements with ICE. DOJ said the measures violate the Supremacy Clause by trying to control how federal officers do their jobs. The suit says agents who break the masking law could face a Class 1 misdemeanor, carrying up to 12 months in jail, a $2,500 fine, or both under Virginia law.