Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla handcuffed and forcibly removed from Kristi Noem’s immigration press conference
Sen. Alex Padilla was forcibly removed by what appeared to be law enforcement officials Thursday after he interrupted a Los Angeles press conference of Kristi Noem, who was discussing the Trump administration’s response to the ongoing anti-ICE demonstrations.
“We are not going away,” Department of Homeland Security Secretary Noem declared. “We are staying here to liberate the city from the socialists and the burdensome leadership that this governor and that this mayor have placed on this country and what they have tried to insert into the city.”
At that point, Padilla — who had barged into the conference room as Noem spoke — tried to address the Homeland Security chief before he was accosted by FBI agents, who then briefly restrained the California Democrat after rushing him away from the scene.
“I’m Senator Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary. Because the fact of the matter is, a half dozen… Hands off!” the lawmaker was heard shouting as he was swarmed by law enforcement.
Following his brief detainment by the FBI, the senator held a news conference and stated he was at the Wilshire Federal Building awaiting a scheduled briefing from federal officials as part of his “responsibility as a senator to provide oversight and accountability.”
Padilla asserted that while he was waiting for a separate briefing, he learned that Noem was holding a press conference just a few doors down the hall. Adding that he and his Democratic colleagues have been attempting to get answers from DHS on their “increasingly extreme” immigration actions, Noem had given little to no information in recent weeks, prompting him to attend her presser.
“I came to the press conference to hear what she had to say, to see if I could learn any new additional information,” he continued. “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. I was forced to the ground and I was handcuffed. I was not arrested. I was not detained.”
While urging more “peaceful protests” across the country against the administration’s immigration enforcement actions, he wrapped up his remarks by suggesting that his incident was a warning shot. “If this is how the Department of Homeland Security responds to a senator with a question, you can only imagine what they‘re doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers out in the Los Angeles community and throughout California and throughout the country,” Padilla said. “We will hold this administration accountable. “
Meanwhile, a Homeland Security spokesperson accused Padilla of “lunging” at Noem without identifying himself, though video footage captures the senator saying his name and title at least twice.
“Senator Padilla chose disrespectful political theatre and interrupted a live press conference without identifying himself or having his Senate security pin on as he lunged toward Secretary Noem,” assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin told The Independent.
“Mr. Padilla was told repeatedly to back away and did not comply with officers’ repeated commands. U.S. Secret Service thought he was an attacker and officers acted appropriately,” she added.
After the incident, Noem spoke with Padilla during a 15-minute meeting, according to her office.
“During a press conference today held at the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, Senator Alex Padilla was detained by members of the U.S. Secret Service assigned to Secretary Noem’s detail when he became disruptive while formal remarks were being delivered. Secret Service Agents were assisted by FBI Police who are in Los Angeles at this time,” the FBI said in a statement to The Independent. “Senator Padilla did not identify himself and was not wearing his senate security pin. Senator Padilla was subsequently positively identified and released.”
Speaking to the press after her meeting with Padilla, Noem said she had a “great conversation” with the senator about Homeland Security’s activities and operations in Los Angeles, insisting it was “very productive.” At the same time, though, she reiterated her office’s claim that he didn’t identify himself and attempted to “lunge” at her, despite the fact that he repeatedly said his name while asking her a question.
