Sen. Blackburn Introduces Bill Criminalizing Doxxing Federal Law Enforcement

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn has introduced the "Protecting Law Enforcement from Doxxing Act" in response to Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell's office publishing a list containing names of federal immigration officers, which Blackburn argues endangered these officials and obstructed immigration enforcement efforts. The legislation would criminalize publishing the names of federal law enforcement agents with the intent to obstruct investigations or immigration operations, imposing fines and up to five years in prison for violations. Blackburn accuses O'Connell and other "blue city mayors" of obstructing the Trump administration's efforts to deport criminal illegal aliens and putting officers at risk from criminal gangs like MS-13 and Tren De Aragua. O'Connell's office maintains that the posting was unintentional and a transparency measure, with names since removed and new safeguards being developed. The controversy has also drawn criticism from other Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who has threatened to expose ICE agents' identities, prompting concerns from ICE leadership about agent safety. Blackburn has called on the Department of Justice to investigate O'Connell's actions, emphasizing the need to protect federal officers amid rising violence and threats.