Clinton-Appointed Judge Rules on Newsom-Backed Mask Ban for ICE

A federal judge ruled against California’s prohibition on federal law enforcement wearing masks, a mandate aimed at Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents.

U.S. District Judge Christina Snyder, appointed by President Bill Clinton, ruled the state law discriminates against federal law enforcement, as it allowed state police to wear masks to conceal their identities while preventing federal law enforcement from doing the same.

However, she rejected the Trump administration’s argument that the ICE agents needed to wear masks to be protected from doxing, in a 30-page opinion Monday.  

“The Act treats federal law enforcement officers differently than similarly situated state law enforcement officers,” Snyder concluded. 

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the No Secret Police Act in September 2025, only referencing federal, city, and county law enforcement, but not including state law enforcement.  

Snyder upheld a separate state law, No Vigilantes Act, which Newsom signed at the same time, requiring all law enforcement officers operating in California to visibly display identification that includes their agency. 

The judge suggested an altered law could withstand constitutional scrutiny. 

“The court finds that these acts serve the public interest by promoting transparency, which is essential for accountability and public trust,” Snyder wrote.

“Moreover, the Court finds no cognizable justification for law enforcement officers to conceal their identities during their performance of routine, non-exempted law enforcement functions and interactions with the general public.” 

State Sen. Scott Wiener, a Democrat who authored the mask ban, said he would propose legislation adding state law enforcement to the law, Politico reported.