Judge Strikes Down California’s Ban on Masks for Federal Agents

A federal judge in Los Angeles blocked California’s ban on federal officers wearing masks, saying the law is unconstitutional unless it is amended to apply equally to state officers. Judge Christina A. Snyder issued a preliminary injunction against the mask ban but allowed the state to require federal agents to display visible identification.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the legislation in September, making California the first state to prohibit law enforcement officers from covering their faces starting Jan. 1. Federal agents began wearing masks more regularly during immigration raids to avoid being identified, and the Trump administration asked the court to block both the mask prohibition and a separate identification law.

The administration argued that states cannot regulate federal agencies and said the mask rule was discriminatory because it applied to local and federal officers but not to those employed by the state.

United States, Los Angeles

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