U.S. Attorney Sends Gavin Newsom A Strongly-Worded Reality Check Over Plan To ‘Unmask’ ICE

California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing sharp pushback from the federal government after signing a law aimed at banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing masks while operating in his state.

Newsom touted the legislation earlier this week as a “first in the nation” effort to “unmask” ICE agents, taunting them at a press conference: “Enough! ICE, unmask! What are you afraid of?”

Federal officials quickly pushed back. A senior Homeland Security official said bluntly that ICE agents would not comply, pointing to the steep rise in threats and attacks against agents and their families. “We will NOT comply with Gavin Newsom’s unconstitutional mask ban,” the official said. “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 that strips law enforcement of protections in a disgusting, diabolical fundraising and PR stunt.”

By Friday, Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli made it official. In a letter sent to federal law enforcement heads in the Central District of California, Essayli said Newsom had no constitutional authority to dictate the conduct of federal officers.

“Governor Newsom is confused about his role under the U.S. Constitution. He oversees California, not federal agencies. He should review the Supremacy Clause,” Essayli wrote. “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.”

The rebuke marks the latest clash between the Trump administration and California Democrats, with the state increasingly at odds with federal enforcement priorities as border security and immigration policy take center stage.