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The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed it will not abide by a new California law requiring federal agents to wear no face coverings during enforcement operations.

Some shit you should know before you dig in: If you’re unaware, California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed into law a series of measures aimed at increasing “transparency” and limiting federal immigration enforcement practices within the state. Among them is Senate Bill 627, known as the “No Secret Police Act,” which prohibits most law enforcement officers (including federal immigration agents) from wearing face coverings such as ski masks or neck gaiters while conducting official operations in public. The law includes exceptions for undercover work, medical-grade masks, and when agents are in tactical gear, but notably requires agents to be identifiable by name or badge number during enforcement actions. Newsom argued that the law was necessary to restore public trust and prevent abuses of power, citing concerns about masked officers operating without accountability.

What’s going on now: In a notable development, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made it clear that they will not comply with California’s new mask ban. DHS called the law “unconstitutional” and slammed it as a“disgusting, diabolical fundraising and PR stunt” by Governor Newsom. Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary at DHS, issued a statement arguing that the law strips vital protections from agents at a time when they face escalating threats: “At a time that ICE law enforcement faces a 1,000 percent increase in assaults and their family members are being doxxed and targeted, the sitting Governor of California signs unconstitutional legislation that strips law enforcement of protections.” She added, “To be crystal clear: we will not abide by Newsom’s unconstitutional ban.”

DHS maintains that federal agents have every right to conceal their identities in order to prevent doxxing, stalking, and retaliation from organized activist groups or criminal networks. According to DHS, the use of face coverings is not about avoiding accountability but about ensuring that agents and their families are not put in danger for doing their jobs.

Adding to the federal pushback, Acting US Attorney for Central California Bill Essayli publicly instructed federal agents to disregard the state law entirely. In a post on X, he wrote, “If Newsom wants to regulate our agents, he must go through Congress,” arguing that states cannot impose restrictions on federal law enforcement personnel. In a televised interview, Essayli further criticized the law as politically motivated and unenforceable, saying, “We’re very confident the state of California does not and cannot have jurisdiction.”

He also accused Newsom and other state officials of stoking public outrage for political gain, warning that such rhetoric risks inciting violence against federal officers.