Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell says his agency will not enforce a California law that bars federal immigration agents from wearing masks or otherwise concealing their faces during operations, arguing that the move could endanger officers and escalate already tense scenes.
McDonnell said the LAPD’s job at volatile incidents is to calm situations, not inflame them. He warned that issuing misdemeanor citations against federal agents in the middle of an enforcement operation could spark a confrontation between law enforcement agencies as a crowd gathers nearby. In his view, trying to “police” another agency’s masking decision could increase risks for everyone on scene, including the public, officers, and the federal agents conducting the operation.
The dispute stems from legislation signed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom in September 2025 that restricts law enforcement from wearing face coverings while performing official duties statewide. The measure classifies mask-wearing by local, state, or federal officers as a misdemeanor, with exceptions for undercover work or tactical operations requiring protective gear. During the signing, Newsom publicly questioned why officers would need to wear masks.
The law is now tied up in court. A spokesperson for Newsom’s office told Fox News Digital that the federal government has sued to block enforcement and that the state is defending the statute, which the office said is scheduled to take effect July 1.
