Gottheimer introduces bipartisan bill targeting doxxing of police, judges and prosecutors
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at protecting law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges and their families from online doxxing campaigns that expose personal information and threats of violence.
The proposed “Stop the Doxx Act” would make it a federal crime to knowingly publish the personal information of federal, state or local law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges or their immediate family members with the intent to threaten, intimidate or facilitate violence.
The legislation also would establish prison penalties for offenders and create a national training program to help public officials better protect their personal information online.
Gottheimer, co-chair of the bipartisan Law Enforcement Caucus, introduced the bill alongside a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Reps. Don Bacon, R-Neb.; Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla.; Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y.; Laura Gillen, D-N.Y.; and Mike Lawler, R-N.Y.
“You can’t protect our communities if you can’t protect the people who sacrifice so much for us,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Doxxing isn’t harmless online behavior. It is targeted intimidation against the people who keep our families safe, and the law has simply not kept up with the threat. We must always get the backs of those who risk their lives every day to protect us, and that means making sure they and their families are safe both on the job and at home.”
Supporters of the legislation said doxxing has become a growing threat nationwide, with millions of Americans — including police officers and public officials — having their personal information posted online alongside threats and harassment.
“Those who protect our communities and uphold the rule of law deserve protection from threats, intimidation, and violence,” said Congressman Don Bacon (NE-2). “The Stop the Doxx Act makes clear that weaponizing personal information against law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, or their families is unacceptable and must carry real consequences. With threats and intimidation against these public servants continuing to rise, this legislation is needed now. I look forward to working with Rep. Gottheimer to get this bipartisan legislation signed into law.”
The bill has received endorsements from the National Association of Police Organizations, the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association and the New Jersey State Troopers Fraternal Association.
“The doxxing of law enforcement officers is not about transparency and accountability in policing. It is about intimidation and threats of violence, and those who perpetrate these malicious acts must be held accountable. NAPO strongly believes our nation’s law enforcement officers, who put their lives on the line to safeguard our communities, deserve the protections created by the Stop the Doxx Act. We thank Congressmen Gottheimer and Bacon for their efforts to establish federal penalties for publicly revealing private, personally identifiable information of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers with the intent to threaten, harass, or threaten violence,” said Bill Johnson, Executive Director of the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO).
“The New Jersey State PBA applauds Congressman Gottheimer for proposing legislation to criminalize the doxxing of law enforcement officers. Intentionally releasing a law enforcement officer’s address for the purpose of threatening or murdering them is a heinous violation of the peace,” said Peter Andreyev, State President of New Jersey’s Policemen’s Benevolent Associations. “This is National Police Week where we remember and celebrate the lives, service, and bravery of the thousands of law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty since our nation’s founding. Congressman Gottheimer’s proposal is a common sense approach to prevent more names from being added to the Memorial Wall in Washington.”
“The STFA leadership thanks Congressman Gottheimer for his constant guardianship of our members and all of the men and women who serve on the front lines protecting our communities. The crime of doxxing presents a new intricate and technological threat to our law enforcement officers and their families and we applaud Congressman Gottheimer for addressing this threat head on,” said Wayne Blanchard, President of the State Troopers Fraternal Association. “This bill will hold those accountable who commit these cowardly threats on troopers and officers by doxxing with stiff criminal penalties, while providing training for law enforcement officers to keep themselves safe from these threats along with strong jurisdictional oversight of this issue.”
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella also voiced support for the proposal.
“Protecting those who protect our communities is a fundamental responsibility of our legal system. Congressman Gottheimer’s leadership in making the doxxing of law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges a federal crime is a critical step toward ensuring that those on the front lines of justice can do their jobs without fear of targeted violence or intimidation against themselves and their families,” Musella said. “A national training program to help public servants understand their rights and protect their personal information online would be both practical and proactive. By establishing strict federal penalties and providing vital training resources, this initiative reinforces the shield that guards our public servants in an increasingly digital world.”
New Jersey knows this threat first-hand. In 2020, the state enacted Daniel’s Law following the tragic murder of the son of a federal judge at her home, carried out by an individual who found her address online.
