U.S. Senator Alex Padilla experienced a forceful removal from a Homeland Security press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday, an incident that intensified the ongoing clash between state leaders and federal authorities over immigration enforcement and the military's involvement in local protests. While Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem addressed ICE operations in the area, Senator Padilla attempted to interject with a question before being pushed out and handcuffed, as shown in a video obtained by NBC Los Angeles.
As Secretary Noem condemned what she termed "burdensome leadership" by state and city officials, Sen. Padilla, looking to assert Congressional oversight, found himself on the floor and in handcuffs. Despite identifying himself, officials deemed his approach a threat, with the Department of Homeland Security stating on X that @SecretService believed he "was an attacker." According to Noem, unanticipated by the room full of reporters and officers, the Senator was not expected to be there to quickly ask questions, as she said, "We'll have plenty of time to take your questions after the press conference," as per Padilla’s statement after the event.
The reaction from California officials was swift, with Governor Gavin Newsom branding the removal as "outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful" on X, and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass echoing the sentiment by labeling the incident "absolutely abhorrent". The DHS, however, defended the Secret Service action by noting Padilla’s choice of "disrespectful political theatre," as reported by ABC7.
Following the episode, reports from KCAL News indicate that Secretary Noem and Senator Padilla did have a meeting, with the outcome of the conversation not made public. This confrontation comes in a high-tension period as Los Angeles has seen violent encounters between demonstrators and law enforcement over the Trump administration's aggressive immigration tactics, including unrequested federalization of National Guard and Marines by President Trump.
Senator Padilla’s office released a statement underscoring his role in performing Congressional oversight. "He tried to ask the Secretary a question, and was forcibly removed by federal agents, forced to the ground and handcuffed," the statement asserted, with clarification that the Senator was not detained. The incident has deepened the rift as state and federal entities strive to navigate a contentious political landscape, particularly around the hot-button issues of immigration and federal intervention. Further legal examination of these tensions is set to unfold as a court in San Francisco is scheduled to hear the case later in the day, regarding the roles of the National Guard and Marines, a hearing initiated by Governor Newsom's administration.
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