DOJ Sues Maine, 3 Other States over Denial of Undercover License Plates to Federal Officers
- On Wednesday, the Justice Department sued Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Washington, alleging their policies denying undercover license plates to federal agents are "manifestly unconstitutional" and obstruct law enforcement operations.
- Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows paused new undercover plate issuances in January 2026, stating the state needed assurance plates would not be used for "lawless purposes" during federal immigration enforcement operations.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche claimed state policies are "discriminatory and obstructionist," while Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey countered that the state's decision reflects a "legitimate and constitutional policy choice."
- This litigation mirrors the administration's broader legal battles against Democratic-led states over sanctuary city policies and federal agent mask requirements, which officials argue are essential for officer safety.
- Bellows remains defiant, stating, "If the DOJ wants to sue us over that, we'll see them in court," while officials in other states review the federal complaint to determine defense strategies.
21 Articles
21 Articles
DOJ sues states over undercover license plates restrictions for federal agents
The Department of Justice announced Thursday that it filed lawsuits against Maine, Washington, Oregon, and Massachusetts for denying undercover license plates to federal agencies. The Department of Homeland Security was specifically restricted in access to confidential plates, due to immigration enforcement activities in the Democratic-led states, but all four states continued issuing such plates to state and local law enforcement, according to…
Feds sue Massachusetts over undercover license plate denial
President Donald Trump's administration is suing four states over their refusal to issue undercover license plates to federal agents, the latest front in the wider struggle between the White House and Democratic-led states over the Republican president's immigration crackdown.
DOJ sues Maine, 3 other states over denial of undercover license plates to federal officers
The Justice Department has filed lawsuits against Maine and three other states, claiming that their policies denying undercover license plates to federal agents are unconstitutional.
Associated Press News
Trump's DOJ sues 4 Democratic-run states over denying undercover license plates for federal agents
President Donald Trump’s administration is suing four states over their refusal to issue undercover license plates to federal agents, the latest front in the wider struggle between the White House and Democratic-led states over the Republican president’s immigration crackdown.
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