In a huge blow to Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom, a federal appeals court on Thursday blocked California’s law that banned masks for ICE agents.
California recently banned federal law enforcement officers from covering their faces with masks.
The Trump Administration filed a lawsuit against California and argued the state’s new law violated the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause.
Last week, US District Judge Christina Snyder, a Clinton appointee, agreed with the Trump Administration’s assertion that California’s law violated the Supremacy Clause and temporarily blocked the law.
On Thursday, at the request of the DOJ, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals expanded the block on California’s ban on masks for ICE agents.
The law requiring federal officers display their ID/badge numbers is now blocked.
The three-judge panel included: Nguyen (Obama), Bennett (Trump), Collins (Trump).
JUST IN: 9th Circuit expands block on CA anti-ICE laws. Law requiring officers display ID/badge number now blocked pending argument on 3/3. Judges Nguyen (Obama), Bennett (Trump), Collins (Trump). [fixing prior post] https://t.co/hrgqhLPGSi Earlier: https://t.co/hrWGJzQK6o
— Josh Gerstein (@joshgerstein) February 19, 2026
US Attorney General Pam Bondi celebrated the win.
“The 9th Circuit has now issued a FULL stay blocking California’s ban on masks for federal law enforcement agents,” Bondi said.
“Law enforcement officers risk their lives for us, only to be doxxed by radical anti-police activists. Unacceptable,” Bondi said.
“This crucial ruling protects our brave men and women in the field. We will not stop fighting bad laws like these in California and across the country,” she added.
Our @thejusticedept attorneys are fighting daily in court to protect law enforcement — and we just secured another key victory.
The 9th Circuit has now issued a FULL stay blocking California’s ban on masks for federal law enforcement agents.
Law enforcement officers risk their…
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) February 19, 2026
Bill Essayli, the First Assistant US Attorney for the Central District of California zinged the California Democrats.
“The state of California needs to familiarize itself with the Supremacy Clause. It does not have the authority to regulate federal agents. This is another key win for the Justice Department,” he said.
The state of California needs to familiarize itself with the Supremacy Clause. It does not have the authority to regulate federal agents. This is another key win for the Justice Department. https://t.co/TcuEXy0B2c
— F.A. United States Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) February 19, 2026
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