Legislation introduced today by Senators Ashley Moody (R-FL) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) aims to criminalize the public release of federal law enforcement officers’ names when it is done to interfere with investigations.
The “Protecting Law Enforcement from Doxxing Act” would amend federal criminal code to classify “doxxing”—revealing an officer’s identity with the intent to obstruct criminal or immigration enforcement—as a felony. Under the proposed bill, offenders could face fines and up to five years in federal prison.
Sen. Moody, a former Florida Attorney General and the spouse of a law enforcement officer, described the bill as a necessary protection for agents facing increased threats.
The proposal highlights risks linked to transnational criminal organizations, including MS-13 and Tren De Aragua, arguing that exposing agents’ identities leaves them open to retaliation.
“It is vitally important to protect those who put their lives on the line every day to protect us all,” Moody said in a statement.
The bill’s sponsors say the measure responds to local officials who they allege have released officer information to disrupt federal operations. Sen. Blackburn called the legislation a way to ensure local leaders do not undermine federal immigration enforcement.
If approved, the act would expand Title 18 of the U.S. Code to cover obstruction related to immigration enforcement operations, closing what the sponsors consider a gap in current officer safety laws.
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