California Governor Gavin Newsom has recently intensified his fiery rhetoric against ICE and President Trump, even likening a senior Trump administration official to a Nazi SS officer. In a bold move, he’s enacted a law prohibiting law enforcement officials, including federal agents, from wearing masks while on duty.
This action overlooks a critical aspect of the U.S. Constitution known as the “Supremacy Clause.” According to Cornell Law School, this principle underscores that federal law generally holds precedence over any conflicting state law.
Despite the Department of Homeland Security already informing Newsom and California that this law won’t stand, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli has officially notified them that federal officers will proceed as usual—and anyone obstructing will encounter significant repercussions.
Governor Newsom misunderstands his constitutional role, which is to govern California, not federal bodies. It’s vital he revisits the Supremacy Clause.
California’s attempt to “unmask” federal agents is unconstitutional, as it lacks the authority to meddle with federal operations… pic.twitter.com/9ZWlFRxHMi
— Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) September 26, 2025
California’s law to “unmask” federal agents is unconstitutional, as the state lacks jurisdiction to interfere with federal law enforcement.
MORE: DHS Tells Gavin Newsom, California What They Can Do With Their ‘Unconstitutional’ ICE Mask Ban
So This Is What Newsom’s Office Was Referring to With That Post About Kristi Noem
Essayli was direct, advising the well-groomed governor that he was overstepping his bounds and had no jurisdiction in this issue:
I have directed federal agencies to disregard this state law and adhere to federal law and agency policies.
What’s that old saying? “Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Mr. Newsom.”
Everything @GavinNewsom does is to benefit his 2028 campaign https://t.co/4fLO9jP2mh
— Houman David Hemmati, MD, PhD (@houmanhemmati) September 26, 2025
Essayli continued with his memo, warning California that if they try to enforce their ban and/or interfere with ICE operations, there will be much more severe consequences than just strongly-worded memos—there will be arrests and prosecutions. I don’t think the governor would like these optics as he prepares what many observers feel is an almost certain presidential run.
We’re not playing by your rules, Essayli wrote:
Because California cannot direct and impede the actions of federal law enforcement, and federal law enforcement has determined that protecting the identity of federal law enforcement officers is necessary in some circumstances for their safety while enforcing federal law, I direct federal law enforcement to continue to comply with federal law and follow their agency policies on the appropriate or wearing masks when conducting federal law enforcement operations.
And here’s the kicker (emphasis mine):
Any state official or private individual that unlawfully interferes or impedes federal law enforcement operations should be referred to my office for prosecution.
Your move, Mr. Newsom.
Editor’s Note: Democrat politicians and their radical supporters will do everything they can to interfere with and threaten ICE agents enforcing our immigration laws.
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