California lawmakers pass bills banning masks, requiring law enforcement to identify themselves

The California Legislature has passed a pair of bills that would prohibit on-duty law enforcement and federal law enforcement officers from wearing masks and require them to identify themselves.

SB 627, also known as the No Secret Police Act, would prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing masks. It was introduced by State Sens. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Jesse Arreguin (D-Berkeley).

“The recent federal operations in California have created an environment of profound terror. If we want the public to trust law enforcement, we cannot allow them to behave like secret police in an authoritarian state,” Wiener said in a statement. “Law enforcement officers do critically important work to keep our communities safe, and they should be proud to show their faces and provide identifying information when doing so.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security responded to the proposed legislation on X, calling Weiner’s rhetoric comparing ICE to “secret police despicable.”

“While ICE officers are being assaulted by rioters, a sanctuary politician is trying to outlaw officers wearing masks to protect themselves from being doxed and targeted by known and suspected terrorist sympathizers,” the post said. “Not only is our ICE law enforcement facing a more than 400 percent increase in assaults, but we’ve also seen thugs launch websites to reveal ICE officers’ identities.”

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) also reacted to the bill on X, stating that it would endanger ICE agents.

“Do not forget—targeted attacks on ICE agents are up 413%. This is yet another shameless attempt to put them in harm’s way,” the post said.

SB 805, introduced by Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Alhambra), would require a law enforcement officer operating in California who is not in uniform to visibly display identification that includes their agency and either a name or badge number to the public when performing their enforcement duties, with certain exceptions.

Both measures come after protests in Los Angeles against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown this summer. The protests prompted President Donald Trump to deploy approximately 4,000 National Guard troops without the consent of Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Later, 700 active-duty Marines were sent to the region. About 300 troops remain stationed in the city.

President Trump has defended the deployment, saying he “saved” Los Angeles after a Supreme Court cleared the way for federal agents to continue to conduct sweeping immigration raids in Los Angeles by lifting a restraining order from a judge who found “roving patrols” were conducting indiscriminate arrests.

The bills won’t become law unless Gov. Gavin Newsom signs the legislation. He has until Oct. 12 to do so.

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