Bondi claims win in ICE mask ban fight; court ruled on different case - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

by Sonja Sharp

February 20, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi recently celebrated what she claimed was a major victory against California's mask ban on federal law enforcement agents. However, her announcement was based on confusion. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals actually ruled on a separate case involving a requirement for law enforcement officers to display identification while on duty. This decision temporarily halted the implementation of California's ID display law, which Bondi mistakenly linked to the mask ban. The mask ban itself had already been blocked by a federal judge in Los Angeles in February. Judge Christina A. Snyder ruled that the ban unfairly targeted only local and federal agents while exempting state law enforcement, making the law unconstitutional under the supremacy clause. The state chose not to appeal this decision, and a revised version of the bill was introduced later in the month without the controversial exemption. Meanwhile, the ID display law has become the focus of legal battles. A three-judge panel on the 9th Circuit Court is set to review the case, which includes two judges appointed by President Trump and one by President Obama. The law's constitutionality is being questioned, particularly whether it interferes with federal operations. Judge Mark Bennett, a Trump appointee, has previously shown skepticism toward similar enforcement policies. The outcome of these cases could have significant implications for both state authority and federalism issues. Public interest in this matter remains high, as polls show strong support for requiring ICE agents to remain unmasked while on duty. The issue is also tied to the ongoing partial government shutdown, with Democrats tying funding for Homeland Security to the passage of a mask ban. Ultimately, these legal battles highlight the ongoing tensions between state and federal authority,

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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/20/2026