"The U.S. Department of Justice sued California on Monday to block newly passed laws that prohibit law enforcement officials, including federal immigration agents, from wearing masks and that require them to identify themselves. The laws, passed by the California Legislature and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, came in the wake of the Trump administration's immigration raids in California, when masked, unidentified federal officers jumped out of vehicles this summer as part of the president's mass deportation program."
"Atty. Gen. Pamela Bondi said the laws were unconsitutional and endanger federal officers. "California's anti-law enforcement policies discriminate against the federal government and are designed to create risk for our agents," Bondi said in a statement. "These laws cannot stand." The governor recently signed Senate Bill 627, which bans federal officers from wearing masks during enforcement duties, and Senate Bill 805, which requires federal officers without a uniform to visibly display their name or badge number during operations."
"The lawsuit, which names the state of California, Gov. Gavin Newsom and state Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta as defendants, asserts the laws are unconstitutional as only the federal government has the authority to control its agents and any requirements about their uniforms. It further argued that federal agents need to conceal their identities at times due to the nature of their work."
The U.S. Department of Justice filed suit to block California laws that bar law enforcement, including federal immigration agents, from wearing masks and require officers to identify themselves. The measures were enacted after masked, unidentified federal agents participated in immigration raids this summer. A state attorney general said the laws were unconsitutional and would endanger federal officers. Senate Bill 627 bans mask use during enforcement duties and Senate Bill 805 requires nonuniformed federal officers to display a name or badge number. The lawsuit names California, Gov. Gavin Newsom and state Attorney General Rob Bonta, asserting federal authority over its agents and officer safety needs.
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