US Justice Department sues Virginia over mask ban

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Justice Department on Thursday sued the state of Virginia over what it described as the state's "unconstitutional attempt to regulate" federal agents by banning masks for law enforcement.

• The department alleges that Virginia's ban threatens the safety of federal officers.

• "Virginia's anti-law enforcement policies regulate the federal government and are designed to create risk for our agents. These laws cannot stand," acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement.

• Spokespeople for Virginia's governor and attorney general did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

• The bill restricting law enforcement from wearing facial coverings was signed into law by the state's governor, Abigail Spanberger, last month.

• Other states, including California and New York, have also moved to impose similar restrictions.

(Reporting by Jasper Ward in Washington; Editing by Chris Reese)

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 4:27 PM.