No Vigilante Checkpoints and Civil Rights Protection Act of 2026

709A. False assumption of government authority in law enforcement

(a) Offense. Whoever, without lawful authority, knowingly— For the purpose of enforcing, monitoring, obstructing, or influencing Federal law enforcement operations, shall be guilty of an offense under this section.

(1) stops, detains, or attempts to stop or detain any individual or vehicle on a public roadway;

(2) demands or requests identification;

(3) demands or requests to search property or persons; or

(4) uses or operates any device or system to collect, access, or analyze license plate or vehicle identification data.

(b) Penalties. A violation of this section shall be punishable by—

(1) imprisonment for not more than 5 years;

(2) a fine under this title; or

(3) both.

(c) Aggravated offense. If the offense— the offender shall be imprisoned for not more than 10 years.

(1) involves the use or display of a firearm or other dangerous weapon;

(2) results in bodily injury; or

(3) interferes with or targets a Federal officer or Federal operation;

(d) Rule of construction. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit lawful protest, speech, or assembly that does not involve conduct described in subsection (a).