The Department of Homeland Security saw no need to sugarcoat their belief that the latest effort to jeopardize the safety of federal agents proved “legally illiterate.”
“It’s adorable that a city thinks they can tell federal agents what to wear.”
Monday, with unanimous approval, the Denver City Council approved the latest action against federal immigration enforcement that requires a number of new expectations of those operating in the so-called sanctuary city. In addition to demanding visible identification from a distance, the threat of possible arrest by Denver police was approved should agents be caught wearing masks — a rule DHS has no intention of complying with.
Following the vote, the department issued a statement asserting, “To be crystal clear: we will not abide by a city council’s unconstitutional ban. Our officers wear masks to protect themselves from being doxxed and targeted by known and suspected terrorist sympathizers. Not only is ICE law enforcement facing a more than 1,300 percent increase in assaults against them, but we’ve also seen thugs launch websites to reveal officers’ identities.”
DHS also called out Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s (D) executive order banning agents from operating on city property without a judicial warrant as “legally illiterate” as “no local official has the authority to bar ICE from carrying out federal law on public property … and while Mayor Johnston continues to release pedophiles, rapists, gang members, and murderers onto their streets, our brave law enforcement will continue to risk their lives to arrest these heinous criminals.”
As previously reported, a similar effort imposed on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in California, dubbed the “No Secret Police Act,” was slapped down by U.S. District Court Judge Christina Snyder, who pointed to the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution giving federal law precedence over lower-level jurisdiction.
Judge blocks California law forcing ICE agents to work without masks https://t.co/DrpeZbMrui via @BIZPACReview
— BPR (@BIZPACReview) February 10, 2026
“However, because the No Secret Police Act, as presently enacted, does not apply equally to all law enforcement officers in the state, it unlawfully discriminates against federal officers,” she noted.
That caveat was seen as an inroad by Denver City Council President Amanda Sandoval, who argued that the ordinance in the Mile-High City was different than that of the one struck down in California, “So, our sheriffs can’t have masks. Our State Patrol can’t have masks. And federally, you can’t have masks. And we delineate that within the ordinance, which… that’s where California got the issue.”
The city’s police didn’t see the new law as clearly, relaying to CBS Colorado in a statement how it was still working with lawyers to discern enforceability, “Our Safety departments are working with the City Attorney and bill sponsors to determine what implementation could look like. Of utmost importance is discretion and prioritizing de-escalation when encountering these situations. Our goal is to apply this ordinance in a way that builds trust and transparency without putting officers, deputies, or the public at risk.”
Meanwhile, reactions on social media assured the police wouldn’t have to worry about enforcement, as they fully expected Denver to face the same legal check that California had.
It’s adorable that a city thinks they can tell federal agents what to wear.
— best decade ever (@ZachFOCO) March 3, 2026
Just curious if this ban is also in place for protesters and rioters?
— David Lundeen (@PelicanatAnchor) March 4, 2026
Denver showing their voters how they are passing laws that can never be enforced.
— Brian Combs (@JoannCombs4720) March 3, 2026
Something about useless gestures comes to mind… that and the Supremacy Clause.
— Darth Grok (@DarthGrok) March 3, 2026
All for show. Federal law supersedes (or should I say, “Trumps“) state law.
— Rose of Sharon (@SharonDevol) March 3, 2026
Denver has zero authority. pic.twitter.com/kOsUeKfBcI
— Hoyvin (@Hoyvin2) March 3, 2026
— Midnight Patriots (@MidnitePatriots) March 4, 2026
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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