DOJ sues Denver over law enforcement mask ban

Oct. 9 (UPI) — Federal lawyers have filed a civil lawsuit against the city and county of Denver alleging a law prohibiting federal law enforcement officers from wearing masks is unconstitutional.

Denver elected officials began developing the federal law enforcement mask ban in the summer of 2025 in response to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection operations conducted in cities across the country as part of Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement campaign to detain and deport immigrants.

The legislation, signed into law in March, prohibits law enforcement officers, including federal officers, from covering their faces during law enforcement actions. It also dictates that their names, badge numbers or other identification be visible or provided upon request, and prohibits officers from concealing their identities with facial coverings inside city facilities. Violations are punishable with a fine up to $999 and up to 300 days in jail.

The Justice Department filed its lawsuit challenging the law Thursday, alleging it violates the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution because of the the local government’s attempt to regulate the federal government.

The federal lawyers further alleged that the law also threatens the safety of federal law enforcement officers.

“Even beyond the sovereign injury, compliance with the ordinance would endanger officers and reduce operational effectiveness by, among other things, subjecting them to doxxing, harassment and threats to their physical safety,” the lawsuit states.

“Federal law enforcement officers and agents cannot and will not comply with the ordinance, which is unconstitutional and recklessly disregards officer safety, public safety and federal operational needs.”

A spokesman for Denver Mayor Mike Johnston told The Denver Post that they will fight the lawsuit.

“Denverites deserve to know who is arresting them and what they’re being arrested for,” the spokesman, Jon Ewing, said.

“Banning facial coverings for law enforcement is commonsense and Constitutional, and we look forward to defending our position and the rights or our residents in court.”

The lawsuit comes a week after the Justice Department filed similar litigation against a law prohibiting law enforcement from wearing masks in Maryland.

Under Attorney General Todd Blanche’s direction, the Justice Department has filed lawsuits against nine different jurisdictions.