Federal court blocks California’s masks ban on federal officers -- for now -- wearing masks but requires identification to be clearly seen

The Associated Press yesterday enjoined a California law from going into effect that would ban federal immigration agents from covering their faces with masks (No Secret Police Act), but allowed a law (No Vigilantes Act) to remain in effect that requires officer to wear identification showing their agency and badge number.

The California Legislature passed the laws after immigration operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Los Angeles. The Trump administration filed a lawsuit challenging the laws, arguing that they would threaten the safety of officers and unconstitutionally regulated the federal government.

Senior District Court Judge Christina Snyder, a President Clinton appointee, enjoined the mask ban because it did not also apply to state law enforcement authorities and discriminated against the federal government. The identification law did not have that vulnerability.