The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) will not enforce California’s ban on federal agents wearing masks during immigration operations.
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said the policy makes little sense from a safety standpoint, ABC7 Los Angeles reported. He called the law a poor public policy decision that lacked proper consideration.
“We are in line with our federal partners on everything except immigration enforcement,” McDonnell said. “What we’ve seen since June here in Los Angeles and seen across the country, we’re as frustrated as everybody else — about the way that’s being done.” (RELATED: Appeals Court Halts Order Limiting ICE Tactics)
McDonnell told reporters at a news conference that one armed agency confronting another over a misdemeanor creates unnecessary conflict, according to the Los Angeles Daily News. He said his department’s job is to de-escalate situations rather than escalate them.
To be clear: We will NOT comply with Gavin Newsom’s unconstitutional mask ban.
At a time that ICE law enforcement faces a 1,000% increase in assaults and their family members are being doxxed and targeted, the sitting Governor of California signed unconstitutional legislation… pic.twitter.com/8Me4OOP8t8
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) September 22, 2025
“The reality of one armed agency approaching another armed agency to create conflict over something that would be a misdemeanor at best or an infraction, it doesn’t make any sense. It’s not a good public policy decision and it wasn’t well thought out in my opinion,” McDonnell said.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department also stated it will not enforce the ban due to federal supremacy over immigration matters, the Daily News reported. The law took effect Jan. 1 but remains under a legal stay as the Trump administration challenges it in court.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has refused to comply with the ban. DHS officials claim ICE agents face increased threats including doxxing and violence, according to an agency statement. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the California laws would make it easier for extremists to target federal officers.
Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 627 into law in September 2025, Fox News reported. The legislation bans most law enforcement from wearing face coverings during official duties. “What are you afraid of?” Newsom said when he signed the bill.
The Trump administration sued California in November, arguing the state lacks authority to regulate federal agents.
