The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) fired back Monday at a controversial California proposal that would ban law enforcement officers from covering their faces while interacting with the public.
The bill, championed by progressive State Sen. Scott Wiener (D–San Francisco), would prevent local, state, and federal law enforcement officers from wearing masks or face coverings during public interactions, with limited exceptions.
Wiener claims it would “reestablish trust” between law enforcement and communities, but the DHS sees it as yet another politically motivated swipe at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which has become a favorite punching bag of the left.
DHS: Proposal Puts ICE Agents in Danger
In a rare public condemnation, DHS took to social media platform X to condemn the proposal, sharply criticizing Wiener’s inflammatory rhetoric and its real-world consequences.
“While ICE officers are being assaulted by rioters, a sanctuary politician is trying to outlaw officers wearing masks to protect themselves from being doxed and targeted by known and suspected terrorist sympathizers,” DHS wrote.
“Make no mistake, this type of rhetoric is contributing to the surge in assaults of ICE officers through their repeated vilification and demonization of ICE.”
The agency noted that ICE officers are facing an alarming 400 percent increase in assaults—coinciding with growing efforts by radical activists to “dox” agents online by publishing their personal information. DHS made clear it will not stand by idly.
“We will prosecute those who dox ICE agents to the fullest extent of the law,” the department pledged. “The men and women of ICE put their lives on the line every day to arrest violent criminal illegal aliens to protect and defend the lives of American citizens.”
Wiener: Ban on Masks Will “End the Fear”
Despite the blowback, Wiener defended his bill, dubbed the No Secret Police Act (SB627), claiming that the public is fearful of masked law enforcement officers and likening federal agents to authoritarian “secret police.”
“We’re seeing the rise of secret police — masked, no identifying info, even wearing army fatigues — grabbing & disappearing people,” Wiener said. “It’s antithetical to democracy & harms communities. The No Secret Police Act can help end the fear & chaos this behavior creates in communities.”
Wiener introduced the bill alongside fellow Democrat Jesse Arreguín, leaning into a narrative that federal immigration enforcement undermines civil liberties—a claim that critics say plays directly into the hands of fringe activists.
However, Republicans and law enforcement advocates have long warned about the dangers of exposing federal agents’ identities—especially amid rising anti-police sentiment on the far left. The rise in impersonation of ICE agents and physical threats against real officers underscores the need for discretion and protection, not political theater.
Wiener’s legislation does nothing to protect American citizens, critics argue. Instead, it plays into the hands of sanctuary state radicals who want to defang federal immigration enforcement and shield illegal aliens from the consequences of breaking U.S. law.
With federal agents increasingly targeted by activists, rioters, and foreign sympathizers, Wiener’s bill appears more like a political stunt than a serious effort to enhance public safety.
I think that all law enforcement officers when confronted with these so called peaceful protestors, who throw rocks and other dangerous objects at them, should be allowed to use deadly force.
So, what would happen, should this disingenuous “secret police” bill become law, if the law enforcement agencies (like ICE) ignored this law? Who’s going to arrest them? Newscum’s national guard? The Highway Patrol? Local Police? NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!! Wiener is such an idiot. It’s no wonder CA is so F’ed up.