Overview

• Bill Essayli, the acting U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, instructed federal law enforcement to ignore SB 627 and cited the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause.
• His letter warned that any state official or private individual who unlawfully interferes with federal operations would be referred for prosecution.
• SB 627, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, generally bans identity-concealing face coverings for on-duty officers, including federal agents, with exceptions for tactical, undercover and medical needs, and it creates misdemeanor and civil penalties.
• The Department of Homeland Security previously said it will not comply, arguing masks protect agents and families from doxxing, threats and a reported surge in assaults.
• Supporters, including Newsom and Sen. Scott Wiener, say masking enables secret-police-style tactics that erode public trust, and companion measures seek to notify schools when immigration enforcement comes on campus.