A new California law requiring federal immigration agents to wear identification during their operations was permanently slapped down by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Critics of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations say masked and unidentifiable agents pose a risk to illegal alien targets as well as the greater public.
'No set of circumstances exist under which the Act would be valid.'
On Wednesday, the three-judge panel of the appeals court said the state could not restrict federal operations without congressional approval.
"We conclude ... the No Vigilantes Act attempts to directly regulate the United States in its performance of governmental functions," Judge Mark J. Bennett wrote. "No set of circumstances exist under which the Act would be valid."
The ruling said the law violated the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The U.S. Department of Justice had sued to stop the identification law as well as another restriction barring federal agents from using masks during operations.
In April, the same court struck down a similar restriction issued by California.
"If a state law directly regulates the governmental conduct of the United States without congressional authorization, it is void irrespective of whether the regulated activities are essential to federal functions or operations, and irrespective of the degree to which the state law interferes with such functions or operations," Bennett wrote at the time.
More than a dozen other states have similar laws intended to oppose federal immigration operations.
A request for comment from the governor's office was not returned in time for publication.
First Assistant United States Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli has responded with ridicule to other efforts by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to restrict ICE operations.
"If you want to regulate federal agents, you have to win a federal election," Essayli responded to Newsom over new restrictions at the end of September.
"Until then, you have no jurisdiction," Essayli added. "Accordingly, I have advised DHS to disregard your bill attempting to ban safe and effective less-lethal tools that agents need to escalate dangerous situations."
RELATED: DOJ hilariously MOCKS Newsom after he signs bills to restrict ICE operations in California
Newsom has tried to position himself as the foremost opponent to the president's policy in an apparent campaign to increase his name recognition and run for president.
In the most recent polling, the governor falls far behind Kamala Harris in the race for the Democratic nomination, with support from only 15% of voters, compared to 30% for Harris.
Newsom has also indicated that he would not run for president if Harris decided to run again after losing to President Donald Trump in 2024.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Wednesday on CNN’s “The Arena,” Florida Democratic Senate candidate Angie Nixon said her Republican opponent, Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL), should be “locked up and punished in jail for what she has done.” Nixon said, “The fact remains that Ashley Moody
The post Angie Nixon: My Republican Opponent Sen. Moody Should Be ‘Locked Up’ appeared first on Breitbart.
CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten said Wednesday that Republicans are polling at historically strong levels among Jewish voters in New York, citing surveys that show Democrat margins with the group falling by more than 35 points since 2022.
The post CNN: Mamdani, Hochul Drag Down New York Democrats appeared first on Breitbart.
"Enter Sandman," exit politics.
During a recent show at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Metallica front man James Hetfield assured fans that the band had come to play music, not deliver a political message.
'Metallica is not here, like some other entertainers, to influence you with their bulls**t.'
Nothing else mattersMetallica recently kicked off a 24-date residency at the Sphere that runs through March 2027. During Saturday night's performance, Hetfield paused to thank fans for making the trip.
"Unless you live in Vegas, you've come a long way to spend some time with Metallica. We're grateful for that," Hetfield began in a clip that's since gone viral. "Your travels, the money you spent, the time it took. Thanks for coming to celebrate with us."
Then he made clear what fans could expect from the band.
"And I just got to say, Metallica is not here, like some other entertainers, to influence you with their bulls**t, OK? We are here — no bulls**t — we're here to forget about all the outside s**t, OK? Metallica's agenda is love, energy, and heavy music, baby!"
The 63-year-old has held this position for years, declining to share his political opinions even when directly asked.
RELATED: 50-year-old rock star tears up at MLB playoff game — only Millennials will understand
Ride the lightning
In a 2017 interview with Chilean newspaper La Tercera, Hetfield was asked his opinion of President Donald Trump, then in his first term.
"Everyone has one, but I keep mine to myself," Hetfield replied, according to a translation of his remarks.
"I am an artist, a singer who plays guitar in a band," he explained. "I hate politics. I don't want to talk about politics. It separates people, and I want to connect them with music."
Hetfield worried that taking political sides would alienate fans.
"If I say 'I love Trump' or 'I hate Trump,' someone can say, 'Then I don't like his music anymore,' which is very silly," he said.
Mike Lewis Photography/Redferns
Shill 'em allOther musicians have been more than happy to bring politics to the forefront of their performances.
Bruce Springsteen recently criticized Trump and ICE agents during a concert in Maryland. Paramore singer Hayley Williams has also repeatedly attacked Trump supporters, calling MAGA fans "pieces of s**t" at a recent show in New Orleans.
Rapper Macklemore went even further, delivering a pro-Palestinian speech while opening for Ed Sheeran on a stadium tour. The remarks prompted objections from stadium operators, and Macklemore was subsequently dropped from the tour.
Sheeran, who said the decision belonged to the tour's promoter, defended his own reluctance to bring politics into his concerts, explaining that fans don't come to his shows expecting a political forum.
It seems Hetfield agrees.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
The contestants for the New York gov's race met on Tuesday night and battled over immigration and other topics in the only debate scheduled.
The post Blakeman, Hochul Battle over Immigration in New York Governor Debate appeared first on Breitbart.
On Wednesday’s broadcast of CNN’s “News Central,” Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) said President Donald Trump is trying to “put targets on people’s backs” by calling Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed a jihadist. Host Kate Bolduan said, “One of the themes
The post Dingell: Trump Trying to Put a Target on ‘People of Different Faiths’ Backs appeared first on Breitbart.
Actor Ben Affleck went on the attack against those who support the deportation of criminal illegal aliens -- support that has long been bipartisan -- and insisted that supporters off President Donald Trump's immigration policies are rooted in "xenophobia."
The post Watch: Ben Affleck Says Being in Favor of Deporting Illegal Aliens Is Rooted in ‘Xenophobia’ appeared first on Breitbart.