The Trump administration achieved a legal win at an appeals court known for liberal leanings. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily halted a part of a California law. This law required federal law enforcement agents in plainclothes to display their badges and identification during operations.
The court found the Trump administration likely to succeed in its lawsuit against California. The judges said the No Vigilantes Act’s identification requirement conflicted with the Constitution’s supremacy clause. Federal law takes precedence over state law when conflicts arise between them.
The court stated, “Section 10 explicitly overrides the federal government’s power to determine whether, how, and when to publicly identify its officers.” This ruling is significant given the court’s history of conflict with the Trump administration. Previous rulings blocked key immigration policies, like withholding federal funds from sanctuary cities in 2018 and restricting asylum eligibility that same year.
Residents have struggled against the presence of federal agents in their neighborhoods. California had enacted laws against authorities wearing masks.
This decision impacts California Governor Gavin Newsom negatively. Newsom, a potential presidential candidate for 2028, has opposed Trump’s immigration policies. He has supported laws to protect immigrants, limit federal immigration enforcement, and increase oversight over federal agents.
The Trump administration sued over the No Vigilantes Act and No Secret Police Act in November 2025. Originally, Judge Christina Snyder had only blocked the mask restrictions from the No Secret Police Act. She did not block the identification requirement. The 9th Circuit temporarily stopped its enforcement, pending further appeal.
California defended the identification requirement, arguing it didn’t unconstitutionally regulate federal operations. They claimed state laws infringe only when imposing substantial burdens on federal activities. However, the appeals court disagreed. It argued that states lack the authority to regulate federal officials directly.
The ruling earned praise from Trump administration officials like Brett Shumate, Assistant Attorney General at the Justice Department Civil Division. He said, “The Ninth Circuit agrees that California cannot regulate federal law enforcement.” Stanley Woodward, Jr., Associate Attorney General, also remarked, “Today’s decision is a huge WIN for protecting the safety of our Nation’s law enforcement officers and ensuring a commitment to enforcing immigration laws.”
Fox News Digital attempted to get a comment from Newsom’s office. Elaine Mallon, covering national politics for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, reported on the story.
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