Page 14 - HOH

A2 u.s. news
Monday 22 SepteMber 2025
California bans most law enforcement officers from wearing masks

during operations

The ban is a direct response said the state is pushing ficers."
to recent immigration raids back against the practice "While our federal law en-
in Los Angeles, where fed- of masked agents without forcement officers are be-
eral agents wore masks identification or badge ing assaulted by rioters and
while making mass arrests. numbers detaining people having rocks and Molotov
The raids prompted days of on the streets. cocktails thrown at them,
protest and led President "The impact of these poli- a sanctuary politician is try-
Donald Trump to deploy cies all across this city, our ing to outlaw officers wear-
National Guard troops and state and nation are terrify- ing masks to protect them-
Marines to the area. ing," Newsom said. "It's like selves from being doxxed
Newsom said at a news a dystopian sci-fi movie. and targeted by known and
conference in Los Ange- Unmarked cars, people in suspected terrorist sympa-
les, where he signed the masks, people quite liter- thizers," she said via email.
bill flanked by state law- ally disappearing. No due The men and women of fed-
makers, education leaders process, no rights, no right eral immigration agencies
Mayor Karen Bass speaks during an immigration rally on and immigrant community in a democracy where we put their lives on the line to
Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. members, that California is have rights. Immigrants have arrest violent criminal illegal
Associated Press unique in that 27% of its resi- rights, and we have the right aliens, she said, and rhetoric
By TRÂN NGUYEN and agents, from covering their dents are foreign born. to stand up and push back, like Newsom's has contrib-
MARTHA BELLISLE faces while conducting of- "We celebrate that diver- and that's what we're doing uted to a surge in assaults.
Associated Press ficial business under a bill sity. It's what makes Califor- here today." Newsom countered that
California became the first that was signed Saturday nia great. It's what makes But it's unclear how — or concerns about doxing
state to ban most law en- by Gov. Gavin Newsom and America great. It is under whether — the state can agents, or publishing their
forcement officers, includ- swiftly denounced by Trump assault," he said. enforce the ban on federal personal information on-
ing federal immigration administration officials. The Democratic governor agents. line, are unfounded and
Trump administration offi- unproven.
cials have defended use of "There's an assertion that
masks, saying immigration somehow there is an expo-
agents face strident and in- nential increase in assaults
creasing harassment in pub- on officers, but they will not
lic and online as they carry provide the data," he said.
out enforcement in service "All they have provided is
of Trump's drive toward mass misinformation and misdi-
deportation. Obscuring their rection."
identities is necessary for the Ban applies to various face
safety of the agents and coverings, includes some
their families, officials con- exceptions
tend. The new law prohibits neck
Bill Essayli, acting U.S. attor- gaiters, ski masks and other
ney for Southern California, facial coverings for local
said on the social platform and federal officers, includ-
X that the state does not ing immigration enforce-
have jurisdiction over the ment agents, while they
federal government and conduct official business.
he has told agencies the It makes exceptions for un-
mask ban has no effect on dercover agents, medical
their operations. "Our agents masks such as N95 respira-
will continue to protect their tors or tactical gear, and
identities," he said. it does not apply to state
Essayli also criticized New- police.
som's comment on X saying Democrats in Congress and
Homeland Security Secre- lawmakers in several states,
tary Kristi Noem was "going including Tennessee, Michi-
to have a bad day today," gan, Illinois, New York, Mas-
adding that there is zero tol- sachusetts, and Pennsylva-
erance for "direct or implicit nia, have introduced similar
threats against government proposals calling for mask
officials." He referred the bans.
matter to the Secret Service, Proponents of the Califor-
which said in a statement, nia law said it is especially
also on X, that it could not needed after the Supreme
comment on the specific Court ruled this month that
case but must investigate the Trump administration
any potential threat. can resume its sweeping
DHS official criticizes Califor- immigration operations in
nia law Los Angeles. The law aims to
Tricia McLaughlin, Home- boost public trust in law en-
land Security assistant secre- forcement and stop people
tary for public affairs, called from impersonating officers
it "despicable and a flagrant to commit crimes, support-
attempt to endanger our of- ers said.q