Congress Must Speak Out Against Masked Federal Agents

Masked Federal Officers Resemble Secret Police I am alarmed by the extreme practice of federal officers, especially in immigration enforcement, of wearing masks or concealing their identity during routine operations. This is more than unusual procedure—it recalls secret police tactics and undermines democratic accountability. Americans expect law enforcement to act openly, with clear authority. Masked anonymity sends the opposite message: intimidation, secrecy, and impunity. Public Safety And Civil Liberties Are At Risk When officers hide their faces, they erode trust and create opportunities for criminals to impersonate federal agents. Such impersonation has already been documented, with devastating consequences for victims who assumed they were dealing with lawful authority. Masks also block accountability—citizens cannot identify agents who abuse their power. The Washington Post editorial of August 19, 2025, warned that masked officers “intimidate communities and increase the risk of impersonation by criminals.” It stressed that secrecy in enforcement undermines the trust necessary for a free society. History Warns Against Masked Policing Authoritarian regimes from Nazi Germany’s Gestapo to East Germany’s Stasi used secrecy and concealed officers to instill fear and suppress dissent. Today’s use of masks by U.S. federal officers echoes those methods and risks placing our democracy on a path history has already shown to be destructive. Congress Must Act I urge you to take three steps: 1. Speak out publicly against the use of masks in routine enforcement. 2. Support legislation banning masks in ordinary federal actions, with narrow exceptions for undercover or tactical operations. Require visible identification—name, agency, and badge number—on all uniforms. 3. Hold oversight hearings to examine how this practice began, its justifications, and its impact on civil liberties. Americans Deserve Visible, Accountable Officers America does not need anonymous agents acting from the shadows. We need professionals who enforce the law with legitimacy and visible accountability. By speaking out, supporting legislation, and holding hearings, Congress can ensure that federal power remains constitutional and accountable to the people. I request your leadership in restoring transparency to federal enforcement and in protecting the principles that keep our democracy strong.