Here’s some typical, hypocritical blue state behavior for you — four states refuse to issue undercover license plates to federal law enforcement. Why? Because their administrations are full of bitter leftists who kneecap efforts by the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to deal with the illegal immigration problem.
Making it even worse? They do issue the plates for state and local law enforcement.
Now the Justice Department is suing the four defiant states, and it’s an extreme Left bunch: Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Washington. The DOJ says what they’re doing is unconstitutional:
🚨Justice Department Sues States for Denying Undercover License Plates to Federal Law Enforcement
— U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) May 28, 2026
This comes after each state refused to rescind their unconstitutional policies in response to a prompt letter from the Department explaining the policies’ illegality.
"By denying… pic.twitter.com/LRBGB0kfRu
🚨Justice Department Sues States for Denying Undercover License Plates to Federal Law Enforcement
This comes after each state refused to rescind their unconstitutional policies in response to a prompt letter from the Department explaining the policies’ illegality.
"By denying undercover license plates to DHS components, including ICE, while issuing them to their own state agencies, these governors are pursuing discriminatory and obstructionist policies against federal law enforcement. These actions undermine federal immigration enforcement, allow dangerous criminals to escape justice, and terrorize American communities.” - Acting Attorney General @DAGToddBlanche
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The DOJ had warned the states that action was coming if they refused to change their ways:
DOJ said the lawsuits came after Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Washington each “refused to rescind” the policies following a letter sent on May 12 from the department warning of their alleged illegality. The department described the policies as “unconstitutional” and said they “threaten the operational effectiveness and safety of federal agents” amid what it called “a wave of targeted harassment.”
The department also warned that without confidential plates, “dangerous individuals can track and evade law enforcement,” adding, “There is no justification for states to deny confidential license plates to federal agents.”
You won't be surprised to see Oregon — home, of course, to the Lost City of Portland — at the top of the offender list:
The state of Oregon's ban appears to be the most extreme, as it includes all federal agencies, such as the FBI, DEA, and ATF, from obtaining undercover license plates— not just DHS components. pic.twitter.com/THMy3Zq8pw
— Katie Daviscourt 📸 (@KatieDaviscourt) May 28, 2026
The suit comes as Blanche has focused on holding states to account that discriminate against the feds and actively thwart their investigations. The DOJ’s announcement of the legal action on their official website explains:
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. This 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.
Americans have seen enough of blue states fighting our own federal government. Time to strike back.
Editor’s Note: ICE and CBP continue to put themselves in harm's way in order to protect America’s sovereignty and to keep our streets safe.
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