To: House Judiciary Committee Leadership: Chairman: Jim Jordan (R-OH) Ranking Member: Jamie Raskin (D-MD) Senate Judiciary Committee Leadership: Chairman: Chuck Grassley (R-IA) Ranking Member: Dick Durbin (D-IL)
Demand They Show Their Faces And Identify Themselves
Petition for Federal Agent Identification and Transparency Act
We, the undersigned, call upon Congress to pass legislation requiring all federal law enforcement agents and officers to clearly identify themselves and remain visible when engaging with the public.
The Problem
Currently, no federal law requires federal agents or law enforcement officers to show their faces or provide proper identification when interacting with U.S. residents. This lack of accountability has led to concerning incidents where unidentified federal personnel have detained, questioned, or arrested citizens without clear authority or recourse.
What We Demand
We call for immediate passage of legislation that would require:
Mandatory Identification Requirements:
- All federal agents must display clearly visible name tags, badge numbers, and agency identification
- Agents must verbally identify themselves, their agency, and their authority when initiating contact with civilians
- Face coverings may only be used in specific, pre-authorized tactical situations with supervisor approval
Transparency Safeguards:
- Federal agencies must maintain public records of which agents are deployed in specific operations
- Citizens have the right to request and receive agent identification information during any interaction
- Body cameras must be activated during all civilian encounters
Accountability Measures:
- Violations of identification requirements constitute misconduct subject to disciplinary action
- Citizens may file complaints against unidentified agents through an independent oversight process
- Agencies must report annually on identification compliance and violations
Why This Matters
Protecting Constitutional Rights: Anonymous federal agents undermine due process and the right to know who is exercising government authority over citizens.
Ensuring Legitimacy: Proper identification prevents impersonation of federal officers and confirms legitimate government authority.
Building Public Trust: Transparency in law enforcement operations strengthens the relationship between government and citizens.
Promoting Ethical Conduct: Accountability through identification encourages professional behavior and deters abuse of power.
Call to Action
We urge our representatives in Congress to introduce and pass the Federal Agent Identification and Transparency Act to ensure that all federal law enforcement operates with the transparency and accountability that democracy demands.
Why is this important?
Why This Matters
Fundamental Right to Know Who Has Authority Over Us: Every American has the basic right to know who is exercising government power over them. When federal agents refuse to identify themselves, they deny citizens this fundamental right and create a dangerous precedent where government authority operates in shadows.
Protection from Impersonation and Criminal Activity: Without proper identification requirements, citizens cannot distinguish between legitimate federal agents and criminals impersonating law enforcement. This puts the public at serious risk and undermines the legitimacy of real federal operations.
Right to Understand Government Authority: Citizens have the right to know not just who is engaging with them, but under what authority and for what purpose. Anonymous agents can claim unlimited power without accountability, violating the principles of limited government and due process.
Preventing Government Overreach: When agents operate without identification, they can act beyond their legal authority with impunity. Requiring identification creates a paper trail that enables oversight and prevents abuse of power.
Constitutional Due Process: The Constitution guarantees that government cannot deprive citizens of life, liberty, or property without due process. Anonymous enforcement makes due process impossible—how can you challenge government action when you don't know who took it or under what authority?
Public Safety and Trust: Unidentified agents create public confusion and fear. Citizens may resist legitimate law enforcement because they cannot verify authority, or conversely, comply with criminals posing as agents. Clear identification protects both citizens and legitimate officers.
Accountability in Democracy: In a democratic society, government servants must be accountable to the people. Anonymous government agents are accountable to no one, violating the basic principle that government power derives from the consent of the governed.
Right to Legal Recourse: If a federal agent violates your rights, you need to know who they are to file complaints, seek legal remedy, or hold them accountable. Anonymous agents effectively deny citizens any path to justice.
Transparency as Government Duty: Government has an obligation to operate transparently with the citizens it serves. Secret police and unidentified agents are hallmarks of authoritarian regimes, not free democracies.
This legislation isn't about hampering legitimate law enforcement—it's about ensuring that all government power is exercised with the transparency, accountability, and respect for rights that our Constitution demands.