Yea! Governor Newsome once again leads the way and has signed into law a bill banning ICE from wearing masks. Yea! I think that it's outrageous that they are allowed to wear masks. I see no good reason for ICE to wear masks. IMO, masks intimidate people, reduces accountability, and lowers public faith. I have family members that served and continue to serve as police officers. They are just as much hated as some people hate ice. And yet they proudly and bravely identify themselves in public and do not hide from people.
Is it even legal for Newsom to do this, though? How does he, as a
state government authority, have the right to tell
federal law enforcement what to wear (or not wear)? Does this mean if he wanted them to wear pink shorts and socks with "I hate ICE" printed on them, he could do so?
There is a stated purpose for wearing the masks though, and that is to deter facial identification and subsequent doxxing, harrassment and harm (to themselves or their families). I don't know how serious a concern that is, but it seems plausible. There was an attack directed at an ICE facility this week resulting in deaths (though not ICE officers), so there are real people out there with nefarious intent. It would be particularly egregious, if there was an attack on an ICE agent who has avoided aggressive tactics. Just like a city policeman, they are not all bad.
If this law does go through, and some random ICE agent is doxxed and ultimately killed because he was maskless, Newsom is going to have blood on his hands. Which does not portend well for his presidential ambitions, as a minimum. Could he face criminal charges? Not sure.