Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., was forcibly removed and detained during a news conference in Los Angeles while attempting to question Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about immigration policies. As Padilla identified himself and requested to address Noem, several individuals physically removed him from the venue, pushing him into a hallway where he was restrained and handcuffed by officers in FBI vests. The incident, captured on video and shared by Padilla’s office with NBC News, occurred against the backdrop of ongoing protests against the Trump administration’s immigration policies, particularly actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The response to Padilla’s removal was swift, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer expressing disgust at the treatment of a U.S. Senator, demanding urgent clarification on the incident. California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the actions, labeling them “outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful,” and criticized the administration for its militarized response to the protests.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus, which includes Padilla, called the incident “unacceptable” and insisted on a thorough investigation and accountability for those involved in what they termed an assault on a sitting senator. The event has intensified Democratic criticism of President Trump and his administration, particularly concerning the deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to address demonstrations in Los Angeles. Padilla’s confrontation with Noem highlights the tensions surrounding immigration policies and the broader political climate as protests continue across the region.
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