Judge Blocks Philadelphia Mask Ban on Federal Officers Before Tuesday Start
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 3
Judge Blocks Philadelphia Mask Ban on Federal Officers Before Tuesday Start
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 3
Summary
U.S. District Judge Chad Kenney issued a preliminary injunction barring Philadelphia from enforcing its new mask, badge and marked-vehicle rules against federal officers before the law takes effect Tuesday.
Kenney said the city cannot dictate how federal agents conduct operations, calling the ordinance a Supremacy Clause violation and backing the Justice Department's claim that it was unconstitutional.
The law, which became effective in May without Mayor Cherelle Parker's signature, would have exposed officers to civil and criminal penalties while requiring visible identification and limiting concealed identities.
Philadelphia's measure grew out of national backlash over masked immigration raids, but the ruling extends a pattern: judges also blocked similar laws in Virginia this week and California in February, while New Jersey faces a DOJ suit.