Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer said the Fresno Police Department will follow state law banning law enforcement officers from wearing masks, but warned that forcing local officers to confront federal agents could create dangerous situations between armed agencies.

Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell made similar comments at a press conference this week, saying that having two armed agencies facing off, especially over a misdemeanor or an infraction, “doesn’t make any sense.”

McDonnell also said that the state’s federal mask law is not good policy and was not well thought out, according to ABC7.

Dyer emphasized that Fresno police “will follow state law regarding the wearing of masks,” while noting that the law includes exceptions. He added that requiring local officers to arrest federal agents could lead to volatile encounters between armed personnel.

Gov. Newsom to Face off With Trump in Court

The issue centers on California Senate Bill 627, signed into law in September 2025, which makes it a misdemeanor for law enforcement officers — including federal agents — to wear facial coverings while performing their duties, with limited exemptions.

The law also requires agencies to maintain and publicly post facial covering policies by July 2026. Violations can carry civil penalties, particularly in cases involving false imprisonment or unlawful arrests committed while masked.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office did not directly address the comments made by Fresno officials.

However, Newsom’s Deputy Director of Communications, Diana Crofts-Pelayo, said in a statement to GV Wire: “The federal government has sued to stop the state from enforcing this law. We are defending the law in court which would go in effect on July 1.”

On Nov. 17, 2025, the Trump administration sued to block the law, citing an 1890 U.S. Supreme Court case that governs whether a state can prosecute federal law enforcement officers who are performing their duties.

That ruling, In re Neagle, has long provided strong legal protection for federal agents. However, it also left room for state prosecutors to bring charges if federal officers act outside what is considered “necessary and proper” while carrying out their duties.

You can learn more about this issue at this link.

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