Clinton-Appointed Judge Strikes Down California Mask Ban on ICE Agents
10th February 2026
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.