DHS: ‘We Will NOT Comply’ With Va. Gov. Spanberger’s Unconstitutional Mask Ban

In this NewsBusters article, Craig Bannister reports that the Department of Homeland Security says it will not comply with Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s new mask ban affecting federal law enforcement officers.

• DHS called the Virginia law “unconstitutional” and said plainly, “We will NOT comply” with the governor’s mask ban.
• The department says federal officers wear masks to protect themselves and their families amid rising threats and harassment.
• DHS claims assaults against officers have increased by more than 1,300% and death threats by 8,000%.
• The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Virginia, Attorney General Jay Jones, and Fairfax Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano over the law.
• DOJ argues the state law improperly attempts to regulate federal law enforcement by criminally prohibiting masks and requiring individual identifiers.
• The article says Spanberger signed the “Prohibition on wearing of facial coverings; penalty” into law on May 20, 2026.
• The law is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026.
• Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Virginia’s policies create risk for federal agents and “cannot stand.”
• DOJ is seeking declaratory and injunctive relief to block enforcement of the law.

Read the full story: https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/cnsnews/craig-bannister/2026/06/12/dhs-we-will-not-comply-va-gov-spanbergers-unconstitutional