Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks California's Mask Ban for Federal Law Enforcement

A federal judge has temporarily blocked California from enforcing its ban on law enforcement officers wearing masks, granting a preliminary injunction sought by the Trump administration.

U.S. District Judge Christina Snyder ruled the ban discriminates against federal agents because it does not apply to state law enforcement officers. The injunction halts enforcement while the legal challenge proceeds.

However, Snyder left intact a separate California law requiring federal officers operating in the state to have their name or badge number visible.

Governor Gavin Newsom has said the mask ban was designed to push back against the federal government, allowing masked agents to detain people during immigration enforcement operations.