Senator Alex Padilla, a Democrat from California, was forcibly removed from a press conference held by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles on Thursday, igniting a wave of criticism from fellow lawmakers.
Noem had convened the press conference to address immigration enforcement efforts in the city amid ongoing protests. Padilla attempted to pose a question during the event, leading to a confrontation with federal agents who subsequently tackled him to the ground and handcuffed him before releasing him shortly thereafter.
According to statements issued by the Department of Homeland Security, Padilla was accused of participating in what they termed ‘disrespectful political theatre’ and was said to have not complied with requests to back away from the event. The statement highlighted that Padilla and Noem had a discussion lasting about 15 minutes post-incident.
“I’ll let the law enforcement speak about how this situation was handled, but I would say that people need to identify themselves before they start lunging at people during press conferences,” Noem commented while leaving the venue.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino described Padilla as not wearing a security pin and suggested that he physically resisted law enforcement when they intervened. Bongino defended the agents’ actions as appropriate.
However, in a subsequent press conference, Padilla maintained that he had identified himself while attempting to ask his question. He explained that he entered the federal building for a scheduled briefing with various officials, including a general, as part of his responsibilities as a senator aimed at oversight and accountability.
Padilla stated, “I was there peacefully. At one point I had a question, and so I began to ask a question. I was almost immediately forcibly removed from the room.” He clarified that he was not arrested or formally detained despite being forced to the ground and handcuffed.
Video footage of Padilla’s removal rapidly circulated online, prompting strong reactions from numerous Democrats, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, who shared the video on social media.
In one clip, Padilla can be heard identifying himself as he is being pushed away, followed by scenes of him on the ground being handcuffed.
Before the press conference, the DHS had stated that the event was intended for Noem to demonstrate support for DHS personnel engaged in restoring law and order, in the wake of controversial immigration enforcement tactics that have led to national discussions and protests.
The incident surfaced amidst a tumultuous week in Washington, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer expressing his disgust during a Senate floor speech, stating, “I just saw something that sickened my stomach; the manhandling of a United States Senator. We need immediate answers to what the hell went on.”
As news of the incident spread, Senate Democrats stood resolute in their condemnation of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies, aligning themselves with Padilla in demanding accountability.
Senator Adam Schiff, also from California, voiced his concerns about the treatment of Padilla on the Senate floor, questioning, “When a U.S. senator goes to demand answers about the lawfulness or lawlessness of these actions to see him tackled to the ground, what is becoming of our democracy? Are there no limits to what this administration will do?”
The incident has fueled further debate about the current administration’s approach to immigration enforcement, raising concerns among lawmakers regarding the extent of authority exercised by federal agents in public settings.
image source from：https://www.npr.org/2025/06/12/nx-s1-5431731/padilla-removed-dhs-press-conference
