Unmasking Hamas Act of 2025
The Unmasking Hamas Act of 2025 is a House-introduced bill that would broaden penalties for crimes committed while in disguise (including wearing a mask). It creates a new federal offense, “Interference with protected rights while in disguise,” in which a person who, while masked, injures, oppresses, threatens, or intimidates someone in the free exercise or enjoyment of constitutional or federal rights could be fined and/or imprisoned for up to 15 years. The bill also adds a 2-year sentence enhancement for anyone who, while wearing a disguise, commits an offense under 18 U.S.C. § 1363 (Destroying buildings or property within the Special Maritime and Territorial Jurisdiction). The measure frames the provisions around countering masked protests connected to Hamas and ant-Israel activities, and it explicitly exempts law enforcement officers from these penalties when acting within their duties. In short, if passed, the bill would impose stiffer federal penalties on masked individuals who threaten or interfere with others’ protected rights, and it would add a separate disguise-based enhancement to certain property destruction offenses touching federal property.
Key Points
- 1New offense: 18 U.S.C. § 251 (Interference with protected rights while in disguise) that makes it a federal crime to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate anyone while in disguise, in relation to rights protected by the Constitution or federal law. Maximum penalty: up to 15 years in prison and/or fines.
- 2Carve-out for law enforcement: The new section explicitly states it should not deter law enforcement officers from performing their duties, and defines who counts as a law enforcement officer for purposes of the section.
- 3Procedural addition: The bill adds the new section to the table of sections in Chapter 13 of Title 18, making it an officially recognized federal offense.
- 4Penalty enhancement for disguise in property offenses: Adds a 2-year sentence enhancement for anyone who, while wearing a disguise, commits an offense under 18 U.S.C. § 1363 (Destruction of buildings or property within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction).
- 5Short title and findings: The act is named the “Unmasking Hamas Act of 2025.” The Findings section discusses masked protests at universities and in federal spaces, alleged vandalism and threats linked to Hamas-sympathetic activities, and concerns about safety and property during such protests.