California Democrat U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla Removed, Handcuffed, After Disrupting DHA Sec. Noem Press Conference

by Natalia Mittelstadt

Senator Alex Padilla, a California Democrat, was handcuffed and removed from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday after causing a disruption.

Noem was discussing recent U.S. Immigration and Enforcement operations in the city when Padilla interrupted, saying, “You insist on exaggerating,” NBC News Los Angeles reported.

.@SenAlexPadilla is one of the most decent people I know.

This is outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful.

Trump and his shock troops are out of control.

This must end now. pic.twitter.com/Eki2cuTymb

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 12, 2025

As he was pushed out of the room by two men, he could be heard saying, “I’m Sen. Alex Padilla and I have questions for the secretary.” Officers placed handcuffs on him after he went to the ground, video footage shows.

“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,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin posted on X on Thursday. “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. Secretary Noem met with Senator Padilla after and held a 15 minute meeting.”

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Natalia Mittelstadt is a reporter at Just the News.
Image “State Sen. Alex Padilla Confronted by Secret Service” by Gavin Newsome.

The post California Democrat U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla Removed, Handcuffed, After Disrupting DHA Sec. Noem Press Conference first appeared on The Arizona Sun Times.