US EditionCalifornia is banning masks for federal agents. Here’s why it could lose in court
California's SB 627 bans masked law enforcement on duty and imposes $10,000 penalties, but enforcement is paused pending a federal lawsuit by the Trump administration.
- On Jan. 1, Senate Bill 627 took effect in California banning most on-duty face coverings for local and federal officers, though the state agreed on Dec. 9 not to enforce it while a federal lawsuit proceeds.
- Amid reports of masked federal agents during immigration raids in 2025, Sen. Scott Wiener authored the bill citing Congress's inaction and federal agents’ obligation to follow state laws.
- The law removes qualified immunity for officers covering their faces, and a $10,000 minimum penalty applies for listed offenses committed while masked.
- Federal lawyers warn that unmasking agents would create safety risks, citing doxxing threats, while First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said arguments will be heard January 12 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
- Los Angeles County supervisors approved a local mask ban for unincorporated areas that local law enforcement agencies may enforce unless a court intervenes, while police unions and organizations representing police chiefs, sheriffs and California Highway Patrol oppose SB 627, saying it will complicate policing.
28 Articles
28 Articles
California Lawmaker Scott Wiener Claims New Anti-Masking Law Targeting Federal Agents Has Gone ‘Into Effect’ › American Greatness
California State Senator Scott Wiener (D) celebrated his new anti-masking law on New Year’s Day, crowing on social media that as of January 1, 2026, […] Source
Swalwell says he’ll strip driver’s licenses from ICE officers who wear masks if governor
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) vowed Wednesday that if elected governor he’d strip driver’s licenses from federal immigration officers wearing masks in California. “If the governor has the ability to issue driver’s licenses to people in California, if you’re going to wear a mask and not identify yourself, you’re not going to be eligible to drive…
DOJ Halts California’s Unconstitutional Mask Ban on ICE Agents
The U.S. Department of Justice has successfully paused enforcement of California’s controversial “No Secret Police Act” (SB 627), a law championed by State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) that sought to prohibit law enforcement officers—including federal ICE agents—from wearing face coverings during operations. In November, the Globe reported: Upon signing the legislation, Newsom’s office announced, “Standing alongside leaders of communi…
Rep. Swalwell vows to strip driver's licenses from ICE officers who wear masks, if elected California Governor
(L) Screenshot image taken via live MS NOW broadcast. / (Background) Eric Swalwell attends the Songwriters of North America (SONA) Warrior Awards on October 12, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for the Songwriters of North America (SONA) Warrior Awards) OAN Staff Cory Hawkins and Brooke Mallory6:19 PM – Friday, January 2, 2026... The post Rep. Swalwell vows to strip driver’s licenses from ICE officers who w…
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