Nov. 17 (UPI) — The U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit Monday against California, Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Robert Bonta over the state’s “anti-law enforcement policies.”
The lawsuit accuses Newsom of “pushing back” against the Trump administration and its enforcement of immigration laws with a new statewide mask ban and identification requirement for federal agents.
According to the complaint, California’s “No Secret Police Act” and “No Vigilantes Act” are illegal attempts to discriminate against and regulate the federal government, by threatening officers with prosecution for protecting their identities.
“Law enforcement officers risk their lives every day to keep Americans safe, and they do not deserve to be doxed or harassed simply for carrying out their duties,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. “California’s anti-law enforcement policies discriminate against the federal government and are designed to create risk for our agents. These laws cannot stand.”
Both laws, and the Justice Department’s lawsuit, come after federal immigration raids over the summer in California. The raids were seen by critics as racial profiling and for some, justified backlash.
“Assaults against federal agents have exploded over the last few months, thanks in part to reckless political rhetoric aiming to delegitimize our brave agents,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, of the Central District of California, said Monday.
Newsom signed the “No Secret Police Act” into law on September 20. The state law, which goes into effect next year, criminalizes federal law enforcement officers who wear masks to perform their duties in the state.
“We refuse to be bullied by these ‘secret police’ tactics — and we’ll keep standing up for Californians against this administration’s dangerous actions,” Newsom said after signing the law.
The “No Vigilantes Act,” which also takes effect next year, requires non-uniformed federal law enforcement officers in California to display identification that includes their name or badge number while performing duties. Those who do not comply face criminal penalties.
Monday’s lawsuit claims both California laws violate principles of the Supremacy Clause, which says “the activities of the federal government are free from regulation by any state.”
“Unconstitutional laws such as this one further endanger our brave men and women protecting our community,” Essayli added. “Our immigration enforcement will continue unabated and unhindered by unconstitutional state laws enacted by irresponsible politicians.”
