On Saturday, during a press briefing at a school, the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, stated that he would be passing a one-of-a-kind law that requires agents to remain unmasked while carrying out enforcement operations in the state.
In response, on Monday, the Department of Homeland Security, through its X (formerly Twitter) page, clarified that it will not comply with the law and regards it as “unconstitutional.” The same post also highlighted the reasons for the DHS’s non-confirmation of the law, noting the potential repercussions of its implementation. They mentioned that the law puts ICE agents at extreme risk at a time when there has been a ”1,000% increase in assaults” on them. Not only that, according to them, the act will also put their family members at risk who are” being doxxed and targeted” repeatedly. In the same post, the DHS also took a dig at Newsom, blaming him for partaking in a “disgusting, diabolical fundraising and PR stunt.”
Besides the DHS, others have also spoken in response to Governor Newsom’s comments about the law he passed in California. Acting U.S Attorney Bill Essayli said in a X post on Sunday:
“The State of California has no jurisdiction over the federal government. If Newsom wants to regulate our agents, he must go through Congress.”
Additionally, he also mentioned that he has directed the federal agencies that the law passed by Newsom in California would not affect their operations. They would continue to “protect their identities”, and if that means wearing masks, then that is what is going to happen.
Essayli also cross-questioned Newsom on his law and held him accountable for not yet passing a law that prevents Antifa members from wearing masks. Calling him out on the same, he said:
“When can we expect CA to pass a law banning Antifa members from wearing masks while committing state and federal crimes? I’ll wait…”
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