Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli has instructed federal agencies to disregard California’s new law, which requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to unmask during operations.
Essayli cited the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, emphasizing that Governor Gavin Newsom has no authority to dictate federal law enforcement tactics.
The controversial law, signed by Newsom just days ago, bans masks for federal agents in California, claiming to ensure accountability but widely viewed as an attempt to hinder immigration raids.
Before signing the bill into law, Newsom said in his announcement, “I’ll be signing a bill, first in the nation, saying, enough. ICE, unmask. What are you afraid of?”
Radical left-wing activists have unleashed a wave of attacks and doxing campaigns targeting ICE agents amid President Trump’s deportation operations in 2025. This dangerous narrative has fueled real-world threats, including the deadly sniper attack on an ICE facility in Dallas earlier this week that killed one detainee and critically wounded two others. The shooter’s shell casings were etched with anti-ICE messages.
Doxing efforts by Antifa-linked groups have also intensified, putting ICE officers and their families at grave risk. In Portland, far-left outlets like “Rose City Counter-Info” and “The Crustian Daily” have published names, photos, and home addresses of ICE agents.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has linked a staggering 1,000% surge in assaults on ICE personnel to inflammatory rhetoric from Democrats and far-left groups, who have demonized agents as “Gestapo” and “slave patrols.”
Essayli’s memo reinforces that federal operations will proceed unhindered, protecting agents’ safety and effectiveness against state interference.
In a post on X with the memo embedded, Essayli wrote, “Governor Newsom is confused about his role under the U.S. Constitution. He oversees California, not federal agencies. He should review the Supremacy Clause.”
Governor Newsom is confused about his role under the U.S. Constitution. He oversees California, not federal agencies. He should review the Supremacy Clause.
California’s law to “unmask” federal agents is unconstitutional, as the state lacks jurisdiction to interfere with federal… pic.twitter.com/9ZWlFRxHMi
— Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) September 26, 2025
“California’s law to ‘unmask’ federal agents is unconstitutional, as the state lacks jurisdiction to interfere with federal law enforcement. I have directed federal agencies to disregard this state law and adhere to federal law and agency policies,” Essayli added.
Read the full article here