Whether a defendant violates 18 U.S.C. § 912's prohibition on falsely assuming or pretending to be an officer or employee acting under the authority of the United States

QUESTION PRESENTED Whether a defendant violates 18 U.S.C. § 912’s prohibition on “falsely assum|[ing] or pretend[ing] to be an officer or employee acting under the authority of the United States or any department, agency or officer thereof, and acting] as such,” if he does not purport to be “acting under the authority of the United States.” And, if so, whether the statute violates the First Amendment. ii RELATED CASES e United States v. Bonin, No. 15-cr-22, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Judgment entered February 15, 2018. e United States v. Bonin, No. 18-1479, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Judgment entered July 26, 2019.