DOJ Blocks Gavin Newsom's Mask Ban For ICE Agents
The Department of Justice has blocked Gavin Newsom’s mask ban for ICE agents in California calling it unconstitutional and dangerous for the agents.
The Department of Justice has blocked Gavin Newsom’s No Secret Police Act, a bill he signed to ban masks for ICE agents. He signed the bill in response to immigration raids in Los Angeles. However, the state cannot enforce such laws on federal agents who are carrying out Donald Trump’s mass deportation efforts.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on X, “The 9th Circuit has now issued a FULL stay blocking California’s ban on masks for federal law enforcement agents.” This comes as a defeat to California Governor Gavin Newsom’s efforts to turn the legislation into law.
Bondi also noted that law enforcement agents are risking their lives while radical anti-ICE activists keep trying to dox them. Without masks, they would be at a higher risk of being identified and attacked. She added, “This crucial ruling protects our brave men and women in the field. We will not stop fighting bad laws like these in California and across the country.”
New: After federal court blocked California’s mask ban for ICE officers/federal agents because it don’t apply to all officers in the state, Sen. @Scott_Wiener files bill to apply it to the California Highway Patrol.
He notes Newsom’s office wanted them exempted from it: pic.twitter.com/k0laYOgyxX — Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) February 9, 2026
According to Homeland Security, ICE agents and their families are already at risk of being targeted and doxxed. There has been a 1,000% increase in assaults on agents and their family members. Top federal prosecutor Bill Essayli called Newsom’s legislation unconstitutional. The anti-mask law would have prevented ICE agents from getting the protection they need during operations.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District Bill Essayli also slammed Newsom for trying to control federal agents. He said, “The state of California needs to familiarize itself with the Supremacy Clause.” He added that federal agents are immune from state prosecution. He also asked Newsom to stop misleading the public in response to the governor’s celebration of U.S. District Judge Christina Snyder’s ruling.
🚨 BREAKING, MASSIVE L for Gavin Newsom!
9th Circuit Court of Appeals just SLAMMED the door shut: FULL BLOCK on California’s insane law forcing ICE agents to UNMASK while doing their jobs. pic.twitter.com/hPkmGPTLrk — Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) February 19, 2026
Snyder ruled in favor of requiring all enforcement agents to have identification on their uniforms or wear badges. She also noted that the use of masks is different for federal and state law enforcement officers, even though they serve in similar roles.
On the other hand, the Trump administration argued against Senate Bill 627, signed by Newsom. The no-mask policy would have interfered with the conduct of official duties. Recently, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell also opposed the mask ban for ICE.
He added that the policy would create conflict between federal agents and state police. "It’s not a good public policy decision, and it wasn’t well thought out,” he said during the news conference.