Sen. Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from a Department of Homeland Security press conference in Los Angeles Thursday.
Padilla, a ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, released the following statement after he was taken out of Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem’s press conference in Los Angeles:
“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.”
Later that day, Speaker Robert Rivas said, “I’m outraged and disgusted by the violent treatment of Senator Alex Padilla—a dignified, compassionate public servant who was physically shoved and removed from a Homeland Security discussion while simply doing his job. As California’s first Latino U.S. Senator, he represents millions of us, including families like mine. This assault is not just disrespectful—it’s dangerous. The Trump administration must be held accountable, and the President must issue an immediate public apology.”
