Obama Judge Blocks New York’s ICE Mask Ban, Major Win for Trump
A federal judge on Monday delivered a significant win for the Trump administration and the principle of federal supremacy, blocking key parts of a New York law that sought to force Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and other federal officers to operate without face coverings and with visible identification.
U.S. District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino of the Northern District of New York, an Obama appointee, issued a 51-page decision granting the Department of Justice a preliminary injunction against the state’s Face Covering and Identification Acts.
The ruling prevents New York from enforcing requirements that would have prohibited federal law enforcement—including ICE, the FBI, DEA, and Customs and Border Protection—from wearing any face covering that conceals identity while interacting with the public, and from operating without clearly displayed identification such as a name, badge, or shield number.
“New York cannot impose its own uniform requirements on federal agents simply because it disagrees with how the Federal Government is exercising its authority,” D’Agostino wrote.
D’Agostino emphasized that the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause bars states from regulating federal officers in the performance of their duties.
“Settled law establishes that federal, not state, authorities make the policies that animate the enforcement of federal immigration laws,” D’Agostino wrote.
The judge acknowledged New York’s claimed concerns about transparency but made clear that policy disagreements do not override the Constitution.
“The issue now before the Court is about constitutionality—not transparency or preferable policy decisions,” D’Agostino stated.
“New York appears to be well-intentioned in its pursuit of transparent policing,” yet that does not allow the state to dictate how federal agents carry out national immigration enforcement.
The challenged provisions were tucked into the state’s 2026 budget bill, signed by Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul on May 27 and effective June 26.
Democratic lawmakers and immigrant advocacy groups framed the measures as necessary accountability after the Trump administration ramped up interior enforcement operations.
Critics, including federal officials, warned that forcing agents to show their faces would expose them to doxxing, harassment, and physical threats from activists who have increasingly targeted immigration officers.
The Justice Department sued New York in late June, arguing the laws unconstitutionally interfered with federal operations and endangered officer safety.
D’Agostino sided with the government on the mask and identification rules, finding the United States was likely to succeed on the merits.
In a partial setback for the administration, the judge denied the request to block the state’s separate Local Cops Local Crimes Act, also known as the Termination Act.
That measure, set to take effect August 25, restricts local police and jails from entering 287(g) agreements that allow them to assist ICE with civil immigration enforcement.
D’Agostino ruled that states retain authority over their own resources and personnel, describing the ban as a legitimate exercise of New York’s police powers.
The decision marks another success for the Trump administration in challenging similar state efforts.
A federal court earlier blocked a comparable California mask ban, and the 9th Circuit has restricted related identification requirements.
New York officials responded with defiance.
Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James issued a joint statement saying they “stand firm in our belief that masked agents do not make New York safer” and are reviewing legal options.
Department of Justice officials hailed the ruling as a defense of law and order.
A DOJ spokesperson noted that the department “will not tolerate any violence directed toward law enforcement officials working tirelessly to keep Americans safe.”
Overall, the ruling reinforces that blue-state attempts to micromanage federal immigration agents cross a clear constitutional line.
While local non-cooperation policies remain in place for now, the decision protects ICE’s operational flexibility at a time when the administration is prioritizing removals and border security.
Moving forward, the case will proceed toward a full trial on the merits.
New York may appeal the injunction, but the strong language on the Supremacy Clause creates a powerful precedent likely to deter similar laws in other progressive states.
BREAKING: Dolly Parton’s Cause Of Death Revealed: ‘Brief Battle’
Dolly Parton’s death came after a brief battle with cancer, her representatives revealed Tuesday.
The country music legend died Aug. 25 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. She was 80.
Parton had been admitted to the cancer center Friday, four days before her death. Her representatives confirmed the cancer diagnosis in a statement to PEOPLE but did not disclose what type she had.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement read.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.
The “Jolene” singer had also been dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues before her death, PEOPLE previously reported.
Just days earlier, Dolly Parton opened up about her declining health and acknowledged that she had put off addressing some medical issues while caring for her husband, Carl.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over [my husband] Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” Parton told PEOPLE.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in an Instagram video Tuesday on behalf of the Parton and Owens family.
“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he says in the video.
Seaver, who served as Parton’s head of security for more than two decades, said she had asked him years earlier to deliver the announcement.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he continued. “As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
Seaver said the moment brought immense pride and heartbreak, but he took comfort in his faith that Parton had been reunited with Carl and other loved ones.
Seaver added: “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless othe
