California attorney general, Homeland Security debate mask ban

(The Center Square) – If ultimately upheld in court, California’s ban on masks for federal immigration officers will be enforced by all law enforcement agencies despite doubts by the Los Angeles police chief, state Attorney General Rob Bonta told The Center Square Thursday.

But also on Thursday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security called the ban unconstitutional and defended its officers, answering The Center Square’s questions by email.

If courts ultimately uphold the mask ban as law in California, local law enforcement and the state Department of Justice would enforce it, just like they would any other law, Bonta said during a virtual news conference focused primarily on a civil rights investigation related to the Eaton Fire in Altadena.

“Laws are there to be followed. Laws are there to be enforced if they’re not followed,” Bonta said, answering The Center Square’s questions.

Bonta also said California has been “spared the level of severity and harm” seen in Minneapolis, whe...