from wearing face masks while on duty. The ban, which comes into effect on 1 January 2026, is part of a series of bills that aims to protect residents from what Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom has called "secret police" roaming the streets. US Attorney Bill Essayli, a Trump appointee, said California "has no jurisdiction over the federal government", adding the law has "no effect on our operations" and agents "will continue to protect their identities". The ban is in response to federal agents wearing masks during Los Angeles immigration raids.

The law makes exceptions for undercover agents, masks used to protect against disease or wildfires, and tactical gear. President Donald Trump has ramped up immigration enforcement as a priority in his second term. In June, a series of federal immigration raids in LA sparked violent protests against the Trump administration and ICE. Trump deployed 700 US Marines and 4,000 National Guard troops to the country's second-largest city in reaction to the unrest. California State Senator Scott Wiener, a Democrat who represents San Francisco, wrote the bill in response. "No one wants masked officers roaming their communities and kidnapping people with impunity," he said. "California will continue to stand for the rule of law and for basic freedoms." The legislation comes after the Supreme Court ruled that immigration enforcement stops in LA could continue for the time being without officers needing reasonable suspicion that a person may not be in the US legally. (BBC)