Senator Padilla, a Democrat, was dragged out of a press conference by the US Secretary of Homeland Security and handcuffed, when he wanted to ask a question about protests in Los Angeles.
On June 12, US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem went to the Los Angeles Federal Building in California and held a press conference, declaring that federal forces would stay here long-term and increase activities to “liberate” the city.
Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., interrupted Noem and tried to talk about the immigration crackdowns that have sparked protests in Los Angeles. A Secret Service agent in Noem’s security detail then grabbed Padilla by his jacket and pushed him out of the press room.
“I’m Senator Alex Padilla, I’d like to ask the Secretary a question,” Padilla said as he was taken out.
Sen. Alex Padilla was dragged out of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s press conference and placed in handcuffs on June 12.
During a scuffle with police outside the chamber, he shouted, “Don’t touch me!” Senator Padilla then fell to his knees and was pushed face down on the floor and handcuffed. Several agents pressed down on him.
At the press conference room, Ms. Noem continued to speak to reporters and law enforcement officials.
“I don’t even know this senator. He didn’t ask to see me or talk to me, so when I leave here, I’m going to talk to him and find out what his concerns are. I think every American thinks his behavior was inappropriate,” Secretary Noem said.
Senator Padilla’s office said he came to the press conference to “execute congressional oversight of federal government operations in Los Angeles and throughout California.”
“He was listening to Secretary Noem’s press conference and attempted to ask the Secretary a question, but was forcibly removed by federal agents, pinned to the floor, and handcuffed. He is not currently in custody,” the office said.
Secretary Noem later told Fox News that she “didn’t know who Padilla was when he walked into the room and caused chaos.” “The Secret Service handcuffed the senator until he identified himself,” she said.
Senator Alex Padilla wrestles with Secret Service agents as he is asked to leave the press conference room.
Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin said Senator Padilla chose to act disrespectfully and interrupt the press conference without introducing himself or wearing his Senate pin.
“Mr. Padilla was asked to back off multiple times but did not comply. The Secret Service thought he was the attacker and they took appropriate action. Secretary Noem met with Senator Padilla afterward and spoke with him for 15 minutes,” McLaughlin said.
California Governor Gavin Newsom called Senator Padilla’s removal from the press conference “outrageous and disgraceful.” Democratic Representative Jimmy Gomez of California said the incident was “not only shocking, but a threat to the rule of law and democratic accountability.”
“It’s horrible to see a United States senator treated so roughly. We need immediate answers about what happened,” Senator Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader in the Senate, posted on X.
Protests against the Trump administration’s immigration policies broke out in Los Angeles on June 6, continued this week and have spread to many cities across the country. Mr. Trump deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles to deal with the protests, despite objections from Governor Newsom and local officials.
