Written by Lyle Weems, Staff Writer
California is the first state to have taken proactive measures against recent federal abuses of military power, and the threat of forming militias in America under the Trump administration.
On September 20, 2025 Governor Gavin Newsom signed off on the “No Secret Police Act”, banning all law enforcement agents from wearing masks to hide their identities in situations that do not specifically call for undercover work or medical protection. In signing this bill, Newsom clearly states that allowing these federal enforcement officers to conceal their identities is a sign of authoritarianism and allows unchecked behavior with a complete lack of accountability.
This bill was passed as a direct response to the increased activity of ICE agents, specifically masked enforcement, in Los Angeles, California. A marking factor of ICE arrests is detainment off the streets or without warrant, and usually with no form of badge or identification. Title 10 of the United States Code, a US Armed Forces guideline that has been in effect since 1956, holds that military personnel must have valid ID’s on them at all times. In 2021, a National Defense Authorization Act, which organizes the legal framework of US national security, was mandated requiring federal and civilian law enforcement agents involved in civil disturbances to wear clear identification of who they are and their and ruling agency. In the light of recent civil unrest and violations of individual rights, it is a fact that law specifically on military action has been laid requiring identification and warrant to be presented to the suspected party on confrontation.
In fact, this legal concept can be traced back to habeas corpus: the fundamental legal right condoning the individual’s ability to challenge detainment, force an explanation of reasonable cause, and prevent arbitrary imprisonment. This idea was founded in the Magna Carta, world’s first document applying laws to all citizens and limiting monarchical power, stated in the American Constitution (Article 1, Section 9), and reinforced by the 14th Amendment to check executive power. Therefore ICE is acting against the Constitution and the laws requiring proper identification for law enforcement and Trump is actively violating habeas corpus to hide his cruel and unlawful activity.
This law will take effect in 2026 and will allow the state to limit executive military power in California and end the suspicious and unlawful circumstances surrounding many detainments of citizens. Without the ability to hide the officers’ identities, those individuals can be brought to court, tried for misconduct, and be held accountable for brutality. This is especially important for protests in the sense of participant safety and protection of democracy in the nation.
ICE officials advocating for the masks comment that the masks protect their identities to avoid threats to themselves and others when images are shared online. However, a following retort to this claim could be made that if the action is lawful and just, there should be no fear from the official that threats will not be carried out and the legal process will be in their favor. The masks are an admittance of guilt in that sense.
On top of the mask ban, Newsom has passed bills relating to the requirement of visible ID, notification to parents when ICE appears at schools, and prohibiting measures of ICE entrance to educational and medical facilities. Currently, other lawmakers in states such as New York and Massachusetts are moving toward similar progressive action to regulate federal military occupation in states and reinforce state sovereignty and peace.