Trump Administration Challenges California's Ban on Masked Federal Agents in Landmark Legal Battle

The law prohibits neck gaiters, ski masks and other facial coverings for local and federal officers.

Los Angeles:

The Trump administration has initiated legal action against California regarding newly enacted laws that prohibit federal agents from wearing masks and mandate identification while conducting operations within the state.

Federal officials contend these laws jeopardize officer safety amid "unprecedented" harassment, doxing, and violence incidents, and have declared they will not adhere to these regulations.

California became the first state to implement legislation banning most law enforcement officers, including federal immigration agents, from facial concealment during official duties under legislation signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in September.

The legislation prohibits neck gaiters, ski masks, and other facial coverings for both local and federal officers, including immigration enforcement personnel, while performing official functions. Exceptions exist for undercover agents, protective equipment such as N95 respirators or tactical gear, and the law does not apply to state police.

Additionally, Newsom approved legislation requiring law enforcement to display clear identification showing their agency and badge number while on duty. Federal law enforcement agencies must establish mask policies by July 1, 2026, and visible identification protocols by January 1, 2026.

"California's anti-law enforcement policies discriminate against the federal government and are designed to create risk for our agents. These laws cannot stand," stated US Attorney General Pam Bondi in an official release.

The lawsuit references multiple incidents where Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were followed and their families threatened. It mentions a case involving three Los Angeles women accused of livestreaming while following an ICE agent to their residence and publishing the address on Instagram.

"Given the personal threats and violence that agents face, federal law enforcement agencies allow their officers to choose whether to wear masks to protect their identities and provide an extra layer of security," the lawsuit states.

Governor Newsom has characterized the practice of masked federal agents conducting arrests across the state as "dystopian."

Critics have expressed concerns regarding the expanded role of federal agents in local policing and unidentified agents conducting immigration enforcement activities.

"If the Trump administration cared half as much about public safety as it does about pardoning cop-beaters, violating people's rights, and detaining US citizens and their kids, our communities would be much safer," remarked a spokesperson from Newsom's office in an official statement.

In October, the Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a memorandum to nationwide law enforcement agencies advising officers to clearly identify themselves in the field. This guidance cited several incidents where masked criminals impersonating immigration officers robbed and kidnapped victims.

The federal government's lawsuit also argues that these laws violate the Constitution's Supremacy Clause, which prohibits states from regulating the federal government. It claims the law banning federal officers from wearing masks discriminates against the federal government by exempting state police.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office has indicated it is reviewing the complaint.

"It's problematic when Californians can't tell the difference between a law enforcement officer who is charged with protecting them and a criminal who is attempting to cause them harm," Bonta's office stated. "The FBI itself has warned that the practice of ICE agents obscuring their identity has led to a rise in copycats committing crimes, threatening public safety and eroding trust in law enforcement."

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)