Judge blocks California’s ban on federal agents wearing masks but requires badges to be clearly visible

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal judge on Monday blocked a California law from taking effect that would ban federal immigration agents from covering their faces, but would still require them to wear clear identification showing their agency and badge number.

California became the first state to ban most law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings under a bill signed in September after high-profile raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in Los Angeles.

The Trump administration filed a lawsuit challenging the laws in November, arguing that they would jeopardize the safety of officers facing harassment, doxing and violence and that they violated the Constitution because states are directly regulating the federal government.

Judge Christina Snyder said she issued the preliminary ruling because the mask ban was enforced in a way that discriminated against the federal government and did not apply to state law enforcement officers. The decision could have national implications as states wrangle over how to deal with federal agents enforcing the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

That left open the possibility of future legislation banning federal agents from wearing masks if it were to apply to all law enforcement agencies, Snyder wrote, adding that “Courts have found that federal officials can perform their federal functions without wearing masks.” This decision will be effective from February 19.

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill in September banning some law enforcement officers from wearing masks, neck coverings and other face coverings. It was supposed to go into effect on January 1 but was put on hold due to litigation.

In addition to exempting state law enforcement officers, it made exceptions for undercover agents, protective equipment such as N95 respirators or tactical gear, and other situations where not wearing a mask would jeopardize operations. Snyder sided with the federal government, which argued that the exemption discriminated against federal agents.

Newsom also signed a measure requiring law enforcement to wear clear identification showing their agency and badge number while on the job, which was challenged by the federal government but upheld by a judge.

California state Sen. Scott Weiner, who proposed the original bill to ban face coverings, said Monday that he would immediately introduce new legislation to include the state police in the law.

“ICE and the Border Patrol are covering their faces to maximize their terror campaign and insulate themselves from accountability,” Weiner said in a news release. “We will ensure that our mask ban can be enforced.”

At the Jan. 14 hearing, Snyder repeatedly asked Attorney General Tiberius Davis to explain that banning masks would hinder federal law enforcement from fulfilling their duties, if officers were to wear masks less often before 2025.

Davis cited the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s claim of a multifold increase in attacks and threats against federal officials. He also brought up an incident in Los Angeles where three women are accused of following an ICE agent’s home and livestreaming it while posting the address on Instagram.

“There is a real impediment to the officer’s safety and ability to perform his duties,” Davis said.

Cameron Bell, a California Department of Justice attorney, challenged his claim, saying there was no solid evidence that federal agents could not perform their duties without face coverings.

Bell referenced declarations from U.S. citizens who had been detained by federal agents but thought they had been kidnapped.

“It’s clear why these laws are in the public interest,” Bell said.

The federal government argued in a legal brief that allowing California’s law could lead to “encouraging other states to impose similar unconstitutional restrictions.”

Davis quoted a July 2025 statement posted online by Newsom in an interview posted online where he discussed the mask ban bill, saying, “It seems like we don’t have legal authority for federal agents but we do for other law enforcement officers.”

Los Angeles County supervisors voted in December to enact a local ordinance banning the wearing of masks, which went into effect on January 8. However, the sheriff’s department said it would not implement the ordinance until a court rules on a statewide mask ban. The Los Angeles Police Department also said it would not enforce the mask ban.