Justice Department Sues New Jersey Over Attempt to Regulate Federal Law Enforcement

Today, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against New Jersey, Governor Mikie Sherrill, and Attorney General Jennifer Davenport challenging their unconstitutional attempt to regulate federal law enforcement officers through the so-called "Law Enforcement Officer Protection Act."

"The Department of Justice will steadfastly protect the privacy and safety of law enforcement from unconstitutional state laws like New Jersey's," said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department's Civil Division.

Not only is the law an illegal attempt to regulate the federal government, but, as alleged in the complaint, the law threatens the safety of federal officers who have faced an unprecedent wave of harassment, doxing, and even violence. Threatening officers with prosecution for simply protecting their identities and their families also chills the enforcement of federal law and compromises sensitive law enforcement operations.

Acting Attorney General Blanche has instructed the Department's Civil Division to identify state and local laws, policies, and practices that facilitate violations of federal laws or impede lawful federal operations. Today's lawsuit is the latest in a series of lawsuits brought by the Civil Division targeting illegal policies designed to thwart federal law enforcement across the country, including in New York, New Jersey, and California.