Feds suing over mask laws

Justice Dept. says that California's new face covering ban and ID rule for officers during raids are unconstitutional and that it won't comply

- BY KATIE KING

CARLIN STIEHL Los Angeles Times

THE STATE laws were a response to federal raids involving masked agents. Above, an officer in Los Angeles.

The U.S. Department of Justice sued California to block new legislation that prohibits law enforcement officials, including federal immigration agents, from wearing masks and that requires them to identify themselves.

The laws, passed by the state Legislature and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, came in the wake of the Trump administration's immigration raids in California in the summer, during which masked, unidentified federal officers detained people as part of the president's mass deportation program.

Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi said Monday that the laws were unconstitutional and endanger federal officers.

"California's anti-law enforcement policies discriminate against the federal government and are designed to create risk for our agents," Bondi said in a statement. "These laws cannot stand."