A federal judge in Los Angeles on Monday handed the Trump administration a legal victory by issuing a preliminary injunction against California’s “No Secret Police Act,” a law designed to prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing masks during enforcement operations.
U.S. District Judge Christina Snyder, who was appointed by former President Bill Clinton, ruled that the measure likely violates the Constitution because it treats federal officers differently from state and local law enforcement. While the law sought to ban federal agents from concealing their identities, it did not impose the same restriction on other officers operating within California.
In her decision, Snyder made clear that the ruling was not about whether masks are appropriate, but about unequal treatment under the law. “The Court finds that federal officers can perform their federal functions without wearing masks,” she wrote. “However, because the No Secret Police Act, as presently enacted, does not apply equally to all law enforcement officers in the state, it unlawfully discriminates against federal officers.”
The judge also cited the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which establishes that federal authority takes precedence over conflicting state laws. This principle played a key role in her conclusion that California cannot impose restrictions that specifically target federal agencies.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi praised the ruling, arguing that it protects federal agents who face growing threats while performing their duties. In a statement posted on X, she said officers are frequently harassed, doxxed, and even attacked, and warned that restricting their ability to wear masks could put them at greater risk.
Despite striking down the mask ban, the court upheld a separate provision known as the “No Vigilantes Act.” This requirement mandates that all law enforcement officers, including federal agents, display clear identification such as agency affiliation and a badge number while on duty.
California Governor Gavin Newsom characterized the outcome as a partial victory. He emphasized that the identification requirement remains in place, arguing that it promotes accountability and reinforces public trust in law enforcement. According to Newsom, requiring officers to identify themselves is essential to maintaining transparency.
The legal battle stems from legislation Newsom signed last September following concerns about federal immigration enforcement activities in the state. California officials defended the measures as reasonable safety regulations, comparing them to widely accepted rules like traffic laws.
The ruling comes amid heightened tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and protest activity. In a separate case, a federal jury recently convicted nine individuals for their involvement in a July 4 attack on an ICE detention facility in Prairieland, Texas.
Prosecutors described the case as the first terrorism-related trial involving individuals associated with the loosely organized “antifa” movement. Authorities identified Benjamin Song as the leader and convicted him of attempted murder after a police officer was shot and injured.
According to testimony, the group used fireworks as a distraction before gunfire erupted when officers arrived. While some participants claimed they believed they were attending a peaceful protest, prosecutors argued the incident was a coordinated and violent attack.
