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
Swalwell threatens to revoke driver’s licenses of masked ICE agents operating in California
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-California., on Wednesday promised to revoke the driver’s license of federal immigration agents who wear masks. Swalwell, who is running for governor, appeared on MS NOW where he was asked about what he brings to the table as leader of the state. In response, Swalwell said one of the governor’s duties is to protect the state’s most vulnerable populations. WAVE OF CAR ATTACKS ON…
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…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 65% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
