Sen. Alex Padilla, a Democrat from California, was forcibly removed and detained during a news conference in Los Angeles while attempting to question Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Padilla introduced himself and expressed his intention to ask questions, but several men physically ejected him from the venue. Video footage shared by Padilla’s office shows him being pushed into a hallway and subsequently pinned to the ground by officers wearing FBI vests. They instructed him to put his hands behind his back before handcuffing him. Neither the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) nor Padilla’s office immediately provided comments regarding the incident.
Noem was in Los Angeles to address ongoing protests against President Trump’s strict immigration policies, including actions taken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The incident sparked significant backlash from Democratic leaders. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed his outrage on the Senate floor and social media, calling the treatment of Padilla disgraceful and demanding immediate explanations. California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the event as “outrageous” and criticized Trump’s administration for its actions.
Additionally, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus labeled the incident “unacceptable” and called for a full investigation, demanding accountability for all involved in what they described as an assault on a sitting senator. This confrontation reflects broader tensions surrounding the deployment of National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to manage the protests in Los Angeles, with many Democrats accusing the Trump administration of overstepping its authority in dealing with dissent.
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