CA Dem Wiener Introduces Bill to Put Federal Law Enforcement Officers in Danger

The Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security are pushing back against a new California bill introduced by Democratic State Senator Scott Wiener, which seeks to prohibit law enforcement officers — including those involved in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations — from wearing face coverings during public interactions.

The proposed legislation, SB 627, titled the “No Secret Police Act,” would ban local, state, and federal law enforcement officers from concealing their identities with masks or other face coverings while interacting with the public.

The bill would require officers to display identifying information, with limited exceptions.

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“We’re announcing new legislation — the No Secret Police Act (SB 627) — to ban local/state/federal law enforcement, w/ some exceptions, from covering their faces when interacting w/ the public & require them to wear identifying info,” Wiener wrote on X.

“Secret police behavior tanks trust & must end”

We’re announcing new legislation — the No Secret Police Act (SB 627) — to ban local/state/federal law enforcement, w/ some exceptions, from covering their faces when interacting w/ the public & require them to wear identifying info

Secret police behavior tanks trust & must end🧵

— Senator Scott Wiener (@Scott_Wiener) June 16, 2025

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In a follow-up post, Wiener said, “We’re seeing the rise of secret police — masked, no identifying info, even wearing army fatigues — grabbing & disappearing people. It’s antithetical to democracy & harms communities. The No Secret Police Act can help end the fear & chaos this behavior creates in communities.”

We’re seeing the rise of secret police — masked, no identifying info, even wearing army fatigues — grabbing & disappearing people.

It’s antithetical to democracy & harms communities.

The No Secret Police Act can help end the fear & chaos this behavior creates in communities.

— Senator Scott Wiener (@Scott_Wiener) June 16, 2025

Assistant Attorney General for the DOJ Civil Rights Division, Harmeet Dhillon, responded directly on social media Monday, calling Wiener’s proposal legally flawed and urging him to consult with legal counsel.

“Scott, go check with a lawyer if this is a thing and get back to us. (Hint — it isn’t— states can’t regulate what federal law enforcement wears),” Dhillon posted.

Scott, go check with a lawyer if this is a thing, and get back to us. (Hint — it isn’t— states can’t regulate what federal law enforcement wears). https://t.co/QDr0wTBiKC

— Harmeet K. Dhillon (@HarmeetKDhillon) June 16, 2025

The Department of Homeland Security also responded to the bill, defending ICE officers who have opted to wear masks during enforcement operations.

According to DHS, the increase in physical assaults and online threats against officers has forced the agency to allow protective face coverings to guard officers’ identities and safety.

“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,” DHS said in a statement.

The statement continued, “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’ identity.”

DHS reaffirmed that there will be a zero-tolerance policy for individuals who publish personal information of federal agents.

“Make no mistake, this type of rhetoric is contributing to the surge in assaults of ICE officers through their repeated vilification and demonization of ICE,” the agency said.

California State Sen. Scott Wiener’s proposed legislation banning our federal law enforcement from wearing masks and his rhetoric comparing ICE to “secret police” is despicable.

While ICE officers are being assaulted by rioters, a sanctuary politician is trying to outlaw… https://t.co/2nkeIjmlgg

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) June 16, 2025

The safety concerns expressed by DHS were echoed by Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, who has publicly explained that agents are increasingly forced to wear masks after being targeted by doxxing campaigns and inundated with death threats.

🚨 WATCH: Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons returned to the press conference on Operation Patriot when a reporter asked why ICE agents wear masks:

“People are out there taking photos of the names and their faces and posting them online with death threats to their family.” pic.twitter.com/V7XqX8IrES

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 2, 2025

The controversy surrounding SB 627 comes amid renewed immigration enforcement actions under President Donald Trump.

Since returning to office, ICE has detained over 100,000 illegal migrants and has increased the visibility of operations in sanctuary jurisdictions like California.

The current debate has also drawn comments from other Democrats.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) recently stated he would work to reveal the identities of every ICE agent involved in enforcement actions, claiming they are “trying to hide” their identities while operating in communities.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is warning ICE agents that he will see to it that their identities are known to the public including the Cartels, MS-13, and TdA. pic.twitter.com/fgiqxRw1zd

— Derrick Evans (@DerrickEvans4WV) June 6, 2025

These statements come despite recent history.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, mask mandates were widely supported and enforced by Democratic lawmakers — including for children as young as two years old — in schools, businesses, and public settings.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is warning ICE agents that he will see to it that their identities are known to the public including the Cartels, MS-13, and TdA. pic.twitter.com/fgiqxRw1zd

— Derrick Evans (@DerrickEvans4WV) June 6, 2025

The current move to ban masks for federal law enforcement is now drawing criticism as inconsistent and politically motivated.

The DOJ and DHS have not announced any formal legal challenge to SB 627 at this time.

However, both federal agencies have made it clear that attempts by state lawmakers to regulate federal law enforcement attire would likely be met with legal opposition.

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