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Judge Blocks California Mask Ban on Federal Agents, Lets ID Rule Stand

The court said the mask prohibition unlawfully singled out federal officers by exempting state police.

Overview

  • U.S. District Judge Christina A. Snyder issued a preliminary injunction against California’s No Secret Police Act, finding it likely violates the Supremacy Clause by treating federal officers differently than state personnel.
  • Separately, the judge upheld the No Vigilantes Act, which requires officers operating in California—including federal agents—to display visible identification showing their agency and either a name or badge number, with exceptions for undercover work.
  • Snyder stayed her order for 10 days to allow for an appeal, so the injunction is set to take effect on February 19 unless a higher court intervenes.
  • State Sen. Scott Wiener, the bill’s author, said he will file a revised measure extending the mask restriction to state officers; Gov. Gavin Newsom praised the ID requirement’s survival and has not said if he would sign a broader ban.
  • The Justice Department sued in November arguing masks protect agents from doxxing and threats, but the judge wrote that federal officers can perform their duties without facial coverings.