CA Senator Padilla Forcibly Removed, Briefly Handcuffed By Secret Service For Interrupting A DHS Press Conference In L.A.

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) was forcibly removed and handcuffed at a press conference for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles on Thursday after barging in and causing a disruption in attempting to question the secretary.

Almost immediately, videos were posted of his press conference crashing and tussle with law enforcement officers. And then in what appeared to be coordinated, came the public statements from Democrats across the country.

When the press conference first began, it had been Secretary Noem simply going over immigration and the ongoing anti-ICE protests and riots that have been raging in the city for the past week. However, in the middle of the conference, Padilla entered the press conference, announced himself, and proceeded to try and question Noem. Multiple members of security swiftly grabbed him and proceeded to pull him back out into the hall way. As it was a press conference, the entire incident was caught on multiple cameras and smart phones.

“I’m Senator Alex Padilla,” said the Senator as he was pushed back by security. “I have questions for the Secretary. Because the fact of the matter is that a half a dozen criminals that are-.”

From there the Senator was cut off in the hallway, and was only heard adding “Hands off!” From there he was then briefly handcuffed and detained before being led out after it was confirmed who he was. Following the confrontation, Padilla’s office released a statement, condemning his treatment.

“Senator Padilla is currently in Los Angeles exercising his duty to perform Congressional oversight of the federal government’s operations in Los Angeles and across California. He was in the federal building to receive a briefing with General Guillot and was listening to Secretary Noem’s press conference. He tried to ask the Secretary a question, and was forcibly removed by federal agents, forced to the ground and handcuffed. He is not currently detained, and we are working to get additional information.”

Many Democratic Senators and Congressional members also expressed shock at the incident.

“It sickened my stomach — the manhandling of a United States Senator,” said Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in a short statement.

“It’s looking more and more like a fascist state out there every day,” noted Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts (D-MA). “We’re watching the end of democracy.”

“If it can happen to Alex, it can happen to any of those senators on the other side, or any member of Congress, or anybody,” added Congressman Jimmy Gomez (D-CA).

In a post on X, the DHS released a statement saying that, while acknowledging Padilla is a Senator and does have some privileges, he did not have a security pin needed and was not complying with the demands from officers and members of the Secret Service. It was also revealed that Noem and Padilla spoke for 15 minutes awhile after the scuffle.

“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,” said the DHS. “Mr. Padilla was told repeatedly to back away and did not comply with officers’ repeated commands. Secret Service thought he was an attacker and officers acted appropriately. Secretary Noem met with Senator Padilla after and held a 15 minute meeting.”

“When I leave here I’ll have a conversation with him, but I think everyone would agree that wasn’t appropriate,” said Noem herself at the press conference before meeting with Padilla.

In an interview with Fox News, Townhall reported on X:

DHS Sec Kristi Noem REFUTES Sen. Alex Padilla’s claim that he was just there to peacefully ask a question: “This man burst into the room, started lunging toward the podium, interrupting me, and elevating his voice…”

Others agreed with the DHS, saying that Padilla obviously overstepped his bounds by going into a press conference like that without proper security clearance. Many also agreed that it was more political theatre rather than any serious attempt to ask Noem formal questions.

“Without seeing that video, I’d just say: we all know what the laws of this country are and if you think you can disrupt or violate those laws and get away with it just because you’re in elected office, is ludicrous,” explained House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA).

Matt Whitlock asked the question on most people’s minds: “Confused as to why he was trying to struggle through people to get to the podium if he was just asking questions?”

Padilla’s actions were swiftly compared to previous attempts by lawmakers to use political theatre to gain attention, only for it to backfire on them. Amongst more recent incidents, this includes a 2023 incident when then-Congressman Jamaal Bowman pulled a fire alarm in the Capitol in an attempt to delay a vote on a government shutdown bill. As a result, he was censured for this and was not reelected as a result.

DC Journalist Nick Sortor asked very good questions on X:

Why did Padilla INTENTIONALLY take off his security pin before walking in the room? He KNEW this would be the reaction of Secret Service when he walked in without the pin and tried charging a protectee

This was a SETUP.

As of late afternoon on Thursday, lawmakers are still split on the incident, with Senator Padilla to make a more formal statement about the incident soon.