Sponsors (2)
The bill increases protections for federal law enforcement and makes doxxing prosecutions easier, but does so at the risk of chilling journalism and public accountability while raising potential criminal justice costs.
Federal law enforcement officers and federal employees are better protected because the law shields officers' identities, reducing risks of intimidation or retaliation and helping investigators operate more safely.
Makes it easier to prosecute deliberate doxxing intended to obstruct investigations or immigration enforcement, strengthening law enforcement effectiveness against targeted interference.
Journalists, advocates, and members of the public who publish names as part of reporting or advocacy could face criminal liability if prosecutors claim intent to 'obstruct,' creating a chilling effect on speech and reporting.
The law could be used to deter or punish public exposure of official misconduct, limiting transparency, oversight of federal investigators, and public accountability.
Expanding criminal penalties increases the potential for more prosecutions and incarceration, imposing additional costs on defendants and taxpayers.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Introduced September 3, 2025 by Andy Ogles · Last progress September 3, 2025
Creates a new federal crime for intentionally making a federal law enforcement officer’s name publicly available with the goal of obstructing a criminal investigation or an immigration enforcement operation. The offense is added to 18 U.S.C. § 1510 and carries up to 5 years imprisonment, a fine, or both. Defines “Federal law enforcement officer” broadly to include any U.S. officer, agent, or employee authorized to prevent, detect, investigate, or prosecute violations of federal criminal or immigration law. The bill also makes technical updates to the title 18 table of sections and inserts placeholder text into several other federal code provisions.