Trump Administration Files Lawsuit Against California’s Mask Ban Law

The Trump administration initiated a legal challenge against California’s new mask-ban law, arguing that the state’s regulations endanger federal agents who face “unprecedented” harassment and doxing, according to the Associated Press. Federal officials stated in the AP report that masking is essential for officer safety, as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been stalked, threatened, and targeted at their homes. The administration claimed California’s rules violate the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause by unfairly exempting the state’s own police while restricting federal personnel. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi asserted in a government press release that “California’s anti-law enforcement policies discriminate against the federal government and are designed to create risk for our agents.” The administration framed the laws as part of what it sees as a broader hostility toward federal immigration enforcement in California. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the nation’s first statewide ban on most law enforcement masking in September, the AP reported. The law blocks ski masks, gaiters, and other facial coverings during official business, except for undercover work or protective gear such as N95 respirators. It does not apply to state police and requires federal agencies to create a mask policy by July 1, 2026. A companion law mandates officers to wear visible identification showing their agency and badge number. The lawsuit argued that masked enforcement remains essential because ICE officers have been followed, filmed, and targeted, citing an incident in Los Angeles where three women allegedly livestreamed an agent and posted his home address. Federal lawyers stated that anonymity protects officers from retaliation and violent targeting, claiming California is stripping away a critical layer of security. Newsom has called masked federal arrests “dystopian,” asserting that residents should know precisely who is exercising police authority in their neighborhoods. Critics also warn about the expanding role of federal agents in local policing and object to teams that operate without visible identification. A Newsom spokesperson said federal agencies are “violating people’s rights” and undermining public safety. California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office noted it is reviewing the lawsuit and argued that residents must be able to distinguish real officers from criminals posing as them, citing recent cases involving kidnappers impersonating immigration agents.