In a dramatic turn of events, Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) found himself forcibly ejected from a press conference led by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles on June 12. This incident unfolded after Padilla interrupted Noem while she was discussing anti-ICE protests, prompting a swift response from security personnel.
Footage from the event captured Padilla attempting to interject, stating, “I’m Senator Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary, because the fact of the matter is a half a dozen—” before he was abruptly removed. As he was escorted out, he could be heard protesting, “Hands off.” Another video shared online depicted Padilla on the ground outside the conference room, with federal agents restraining his hands with zip ties.
In the aftermath, Padilla’s office issued a statement clarifying that he was in Los Angeles to conduct congressional oversight and was merely trying to fulfill his duties when he was removed. They confirmed that he was “forcibly removed by federal agents, forced to the ground and handcuffed,” but reassured the public that he was not detained and was seeking further information on the incident.
The Department of Homeland Security released a statement on social media, asserting that Padilla’s actions were perceived as a threat. They claimed he had not identified himself properly or worn his Senate security pin, leading the Secret Service to believe he was an aggressor. “Mr. Padilla was told repeatedly to back away and did not comply with officers’ repeated commands. @SecretService thought he was an attacker and officers acted appropriately,” the statement read.
When questioned about the incident during a later segment of the press conference, Noem remarked, “I don’t even know the senator; he did not request a meeting with me or to speak with me.” She suggested that if Padilla desired a civil discussion, he should have reached out beforehand. “I think everybody in America would agree that that wasn’t appropriate,” she added, emphasizing the importance of decorum among public officials.
Approximately an hour later, Padilla addressed reporters outside the federal building, stating he had attended the briefing as part of his Senate responsibilities and had attempted to engage with Noem regarding recent immigration enforcement actions. “At one point, I had a question,” he recounted. “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.”
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson weighed in via email, accusing Padilla of “storming” the press conference without proper identification and seeking attention rather than answers. “Padilla didn’t want answers; he wanted attention,” she asserted.
California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the incident on social media, calling it “outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful,” while expressing his support for Padilla. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass echoed these sentiments, labeling the senator’s removal as “abhorrent and outrageous,” and called for an end to what she termed the administration’s violent actions against the city.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also demanded “immediate answers” regarding the incident, highlighting the political ramifications of such confrontations.
Padilla, who became California’s first Latino U.S. senator in January 2021 and has since been elected for a full term, finds himself at the center of a controversy that underscores the tensions within the current political landscape.
Correction: An earlier version of this article misspelled the name of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in two instances. The Epoch Times regrets the error.
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