Authorities devalue the law when they hide behind masks

When officers hide their faces, they hide their responsibility. They erode public trust. And they create the very conditions in which abuse thrives.

As a young recruit, the first thing I learned when I pinned on a badge was simple but profound: Power must always be visible and accountable. A nameplate, a badge number, an agency insignia — those aren’t just pieces of metal and cloth. They’re promises that those who wield the authority of the state can be identified, questioned and held responsible for their actions.

That’s why California’s new law, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2026, should be welcomed by anyone who values the rule of law. It will make it a misdemeanor for any law enforcement officer — federal or local — to conceal their identity with a mask during enforcement actions in public spaces such as schools, hospitals or places of worship. The goal is straightforward: When government agents act in the name of the people, the people should know who they are.

Predictably, critics call the measure “political theater.” Some insist that “federal law trumps state law.” Others argue that agents have a “right” to wear masks — and that if they’re arresting undocumented people, “who cares?”

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