California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been ramping up the incendiary anti-ICE, anti-Trump rhetoric to 11 recently—he even compared a top Trump administration official to a Nazi SS officer—but he took things even further: he signed a law that would ban law enforcement officials, including federal agents, from wearing masks while carrying out official duties.
As we’ve discussed, he seems to be forgetting something in the Constitution called the “Supremacy Clause,” which, according to Cornell Law School, “refers to the foundational principle that, in general, federal law takes precedence over any conflicting state law.”
The Department of Homeland Security has already told Newsom and the Golden State that the law is DOA, but now U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli has put them on notice in writing that he will instruct federal officers to continue as they were—and anyone who tries to interfere will face serious problems.
California's law to "unmask" federal agents is unconstitutional, as the state lacks jurisdiction to interfere with federal law enforcement.
MORE: DHS Tells Gavin Newsom, California What They Can Do With Their 'Unconstitutional' ICE Mask Ban
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Essayli didn’t mince words, telling the elaborately coiffed governor that he was way out of his league and simply had exactly zero authority in the matter:
I have directed federal agencies to disregard this state law and adhere to federal law and agency policies.
What’s that old saying? “Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Mr. Newsom.”
Essayli continued with his memo, warning California that if they try to enforce their ban and/or interfere with ICE operations, there will be much more severe consequences than just strongly-worded memos—there will be arrests and prosecutions. I don’t think the governor would like these optics as he prepares what many observers feel is an almost certain presidential run.
We’re not playing by your rules, Essayli wrote:
Because California cannot direct and impede the actions of federal law enforcement, and federal law enforcement has determined that protecting the identity of federal law enforcement officers is necessary in some circumstances for their safety while enforcing federal law, I direct federal law enforcement to continue to comply with federal law and follow their agency policies on the appropriate or wearing masks when conducting federal law enforcement operations.
And here’s the kicker (emphasis mine):
Any state official or private individual that unlawfully interferes or impedes federal law enforcement operations should be referred to my office for prosecution.
Your move, Mr. Newsom.
Editor’s Note: Democrat politicians and their radical supporters will do everything they can to interfere with and threaten ICE agents enforcing our immigration laws.
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