The Justice Department of President Donald Trump has begun a legal fight against California. They accuse Governor Gavin Newsom, and Attorney General Rob Bonta that they are putting federal officers in danger by passing two state laws which restrict federal agents’ use of identity protection gear and masks.
The lawsuit, filed Monday, argues California’s “No Secret Police Act”, “No Vigilantes Act”, and other laws that attempt to control federal agents in a way which violates the Constitution, while putting federal agents in danger, amid an increase in what officials call political violence and harassment.
California laws, according to the complaint expose federal agents who are not allowed to conceal their identity while conducting sensitive operations to threats, doxxing and even physical harm. The senior Justice Department officials claim that the policy not only violates federal supremacy, but also actively undermines safety for law enforcement at a moment when antipathy toward federal agents has risen sharply.
Pamela Bondi, the Attorney General of California, condemned California’s laws with a strong statement. She argued that federal agents are deliberately being targeted because they have political motives.
Bondi stated that “law enforcement officers risk the lives of their families every day in order to protect Americans. They do not deserve harassment or doxing for simply doing their job.” California’s anti-law enforcement policies are discriminatory against federal law enforcement and designed to put our agents at risk. “These laws must be repealed.”
The lawsuit was also supported by Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate, of the Civil Division. He said that the federal government had both the right and the obligation to protect their officers against unconstitutional interference from the state.
Shumate stated that “the Department of Justice is committed to protecting the safety and privacy of law enforcement against unconstitutional laws such as California’s”.
Federal prosecutors from California have echoed this warning. They point to an increase in the number of attacks against agents, which they attribute to what are described as reckless remarks by state and local officials.
Bill Essayli, First Assistant United States attorney for the Central District of California said: “Assaults on federal agents have increased in the past few months due to the recklessness of political rhetoric that aims to undermine our brave agents.” Unconstitutional laws like this one put our brave agents who protect our community at risk. Immigration enforcement will not be hampered by state unconstitutional laws passed by irresponsible legislators.
According to the administration, mask restrictions don’t just create risks. The restrictions also pose a threat to federal law enforcement, undercover investigations and national security initiatives that rely on anonymity.
Newsom responded by arguing the mask ban was a necessary reaction to agents working without identification in street detentions related to immigration enforcement.
It’s like watching a dystopian sci fi movie. Newsom, at a previous press conference, said that unmarked cars, masks and people literally disappearing were all common. Newsom said, “Immigrants are entitled to their rights and we can stand up for them and fight back. That’s exactly what we did today.”
Since taking office, Bondi’s top priority has been to crack down on the state-level resistance. She directed her Civil Division on the first day of her tenure to find local policies which violate federal laws or hinder federal officers. This new lawsuit against California is part of a series that includes similar suits filed in New York City, New Jersey and Los Angeles. It’s all part of a strategy, which officials call a “long-term” one, to undermine state efforts to subvert federal authority.
