The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against California over a law that prohibits federal immigration agents from wearing masks to conceal their identities, claiming it violates constitutional authority.
The Trump administration has initiated legal action against California, contesting a new law that bans federal immigration agents from wearing masks to hide their identities. The lawsuit, filed on Monday, asserts that the state lacks the authority to impose such restrictions on federal agents, deeming the measure unconstitutional.
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the No Secret Police Act and the No Vigilantes Act into law in September. These laws prohibit most law enforcement officers, including federal agents, from wearing masks while on duty. Additionally, non-uniformed officers are required to display their identification visibly during their operations. However, exceptions are made for undercover agents, those wearing medical masks like N95 respirators, and individuals using masks as part of tactical gear.
In a statement regarding the legislation, Newsom emphasized that federal immigration officers would no longer be “hidden from accountability” during their operations in California. “That’s not the America we’ve grown up in. And so we are pushing back,” he stated ahead of the bill signings.
Federal immigration agents have conducted raids in Southern California since June, targeting migrant workers at local businesses. These operations have sparked protests and led to the federal deployment of the National Guard and Marines. During these raids, some federal agents wore masks to conceal their identities.
The Trump administration is urging the court to rule that the California laws violate the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which establishes that federal law is the “supreme Law of the Land,” taking precedence over state law. The lawsuit also contends that the California laws infringe upon Article 5, Section 301 of the U.S. Code, which grants agency heads the authority to prescribe regulations governing their departments and the conduct of their employees.
Attorney General Pam Bondi expressed concerns on Monday, stating that the California laws “discriminate against the federal government and are designed to create risk for our agents.” Following Newsom’s signing of the measures, administration officials instructed ICE agents to disregard the California laws. The Department of Homeland Security announced on September 22 that it would “NOT comply with Gavin Newsom’s unconstitutional mask ban,” citing an increase in threats against ICE officers.
The lawsuit further argues that the California laws “would recklessly endanger the lives of federal agents and their family members and compromise the operational effectiveness of federal law enforcement activities.” However, supporters of the mask ban for immigration agents contend that the use of face coverings instills fear in the public and must be addressed.
In response to the lawsuit, Newsom’s office stated that California officials “will see the [Department of Justice] in court.” Spokesperson Diana Crofts-Pelayo criticized the Trump administration, suggesting that if it prioritized public safety as much as it does other issues, communities would be safer. She referred to President Donald Trump’s pardoning of individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots as an example of misplaced priorities.
As the legal battle unfolds, the implications of this case could have significant effects on the operations of federal immigration agents in California and the broader relationship between state and federal authorities.
Source: Original article