A federal judge in California on Monday temporarily blocked the state from enforcing its ban on most law enforcement officers from wearing masks during operations.
Federal Judge Sides with Trump Administration on Mask Ban
U.S. District Judge Christina Snyder in Los Angeles granted the Trump administration’s request for a preliminary injunction. The judge found that the ban “unlawfully discriminates” against federal agents given that it does not equally apply to state law enforcement officers.
But, Judge Snyder kept in place another law requiring federal officers operating in the state to display either their name or badge number.
The ruling represents a partial win for the Trump administration, which challenged the policies in federal court last year, seeking to have both measures thrown out to protect federal agents. The administration argued the laws, signed in September in response to immigration raids last summer in Los Angeles, were an unconstitutional attempt to regulate federal law enforcement officers.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi touted the ruling on Monday as a “key court victory” in a post on X, stating, “We will continue fighting and winning in court for President Trump’s law-and-order agenda — and we will ALWAYS have the backs of our great federal law enforcement officers.”
California Attorney General Rob Bonta stressed that the judge’s ruling “denied the Trump Administration’s attempt to block California from requiring law enforcement officers, including federal agents, to visually identify themselves by agency and either by name or badge number.” He added, “Safe communities thrive on transparency and trust and California is committed to doing our part to uphold public safety and civil liberties.”
The mask ban seeks to bar neck gaiters, ski masks and other facial coverings for local and federal officers during official business, with exceptions for undercover agents, medical masks, and tactical gear. The legislation followed months of immigration arrests conducted by masked federal agents using aggressive tactics across the country.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has insisted the ban pushes back against the federal government’s use of masked agents without identification or badge numbers to detain people during immigration raids. He previously described the situation as “like a dystopian sci-fi movie. Unmarked cars, people in masks, people quite literally disappearing.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the judge rule on Monday?
U.S. District Judge Christina Snyder temporarily blocked California from enforcing its ban on most law enforcement officers wearing masks during operations.
What did the judge allow to remain in effect?
The judge kept in place another law requiring federal officers operating in the state to display either their name or badge number.
Why did the Trump administration challenge the California laws?
The administration argued the laws were an unconstitutional attempt to regulate federal law enforcement officers and that the mask ban set federal agents at risk.
As the legal battle continues, it remains to be seen whether California will amend its law to include state officers, as suggested by state Senator Scott Wiener, or if the Trump administration will pursue further legal challenges.
