The U.S. Justice Department sues Virginia over the ban on wearing masks.

The US Department of Justice on Thursday sued the state of Virginia, alleging that the state's law enforcement officer ban on wearing masks is an attempt to restrict federal law enforcement officers, which violates the Constitution. The department claimed that Virginia's ban would endanger the personal safety of federal law enforcement officers. Acting Attorney General of the United States, Todd Branch, stated in a declaration, "Virginia's anti-law enforcement policy is aimed at restraining the federal government and putting law enforcement officers in jeopardy. The relevant laws should be invalidated." Spokespersons for the Governor of Virginia and the state Attorney General have not yet commented on this issue. Last month, Governor Abigail Spanberger signed a bill officially prohibiting law enforcement officers from wearing masks. Other states such as California and New York have also introduced similar control regulations.