Homeland Security Enacts New Anti-Mask Rule in Portland as Protests Turn Theatrical
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has accelerated a new security regulation, moving its effective date to November 5, 2025. It was originally scheduled to begin on January 1, 2026.
This rule grants the Federal Protective Service (FPS) expanded authority. They can now act against misconduct that occurs not only on federal property, but also just off-site if it threatens federal facilities or personnel.
A key part of the regulation prohibits wearing masks or disguises. However, this ban specifically applies when someone is attempting to avoid identification while breaking a law.
The rule is not a blanket ban on all face coverings during protests. It only targets those using a disguise to conceal their identity during illegal activity.
DHS justified fast-tracking the rule due to an increase in violence and threats near federal buildings. The regulation will now cover approximately 8,500 federal facilities across the country.
For demonstrators, the main implication is clear. Peacefully protesting near a federal building while wearing a mask is not automatically an offense. The rule is triggered when the disguise is used to hide unlawful conduct.
This focus on disguises during wrongdoing may raise questions from civil-liberties groups about enforcement. The rule signals a federal priority for visibility and accountability around its properties.
