Case: United States v. Maine

[This summary is temporary while we research the case]. On May 27, 2026, the United States filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine against the State of Maine, Maine Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State, all in their official capacities. The complaint alleged that Maine's Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) implemented a discriminatory policy regarding the issuance of confidential (non-distinctive) license plates to federal law enforcement agencies. Beginning in January 2026, the BMV paused issuance of such plates to federal agencies but not to state or local agencies. Then, in February 2026, Maine developed a new application form requiring the head of any federal agency to attest that vehicles bearing confidential plates would not be used for federal civil immigration enforcement. Maine revised the form in May 2026, but the United States alleged that the revised requirement continued to unlawfully discriminate against and regulate the Federal Government, effectively barring agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from obtaining confidential plates essential to officer safety, undercover operations, and ongoing investigations. The complaint asserted two counts under the Supremacy Clause and sought declaratory judgments, a permanent injunction, costs and fees, and any other relief the Court deemed appropriate.