The administration of President Donald Trump just told federal agents to disregard California's recently enacted anti-mask law. 

The Washington Examiner reports that the administration gave this order on Friday.

Before we get to that, though, we'll catch you up to speed on the anti-mask law.

“To ICE: Unmask. What are you afraid of?”

Gov. Gavin Newsom says California is pushing back against the Trump administration’s “authoritarian tendencies” with a new law requiring federal law enforcement agencies to remove their masks while operating in the state. pic.twitter.com/ChCfm7Zm8I

— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 21, 2025

Background

California, under the leadership of Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and Democrats, recently passed a law requiring federal law enforcement agents to remove their facemasks while conducting operations in California.

Fox News, this past week, reported:

Newsom, a Democrat, signed a bill over the weekend that bans state and federal law enforcement from wearing masks on the job, a move that Trump administration officials decried as illegal and vowed to ignore. The bill is set to take effect in January.

The outlet goes on to explain that this situation is most likely going to end up in the courts. It also provides some more context.

Per the outlet:

Newsom's measure was part of a string of bills the governor signed to counteract the Trump administration, which has, since the summer, been carrying out controversial immigration raids across California. The Supreme Court recently temporarily cleared the way for ICE authorities to continue conducting immigration stops at farms, car washes and other places where they suspect illegal immigrants might be. But the high court did not weigh in on the authorities' garb, which at times has included identity-concealing masks and neck gaiters, according to videos.

It is unclear how the high court might rule in such a case.

"Newsom is confused"

Bill Essayli, the acting U.S. attorney for California, released a statement on Friday arguing that the anti-mask law is unconstitutional.

Essayli wrote:

Governor Newsom is confused about his role under the U.S. Constitution. He oversees California, not federal agencies. He should review the Supremacy Clause. California's law to "unmask" federal agents is unconstitutional, as the state lacks jurisdiction to interfere with federal law enforcement. I have directed federal agencies to disregard this state law and adhere to federal law and agency policies.

Essayli, in his post, included a copy of the memorandum that he sent to "federal law enforcement agency heads in central district of California," instructing them to essentially disregard the anti-mask law.

"The law is well-settled that, under the Supremacy Clause, state officials cannot control the actions of federal law enforcement officers and an attempt to do so is unconstitutional," Essayli, in part, wrote.

We'll have to see how this situation plays out.