California State Senator Alex Padilla (D) Thursdays was forcibly removed, handcuffed, and pinned to the floor by federal agents after interrupting a Los Angeles press conference by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. The incident, captured on video, underscored escalating political tensions as California challenged the Trump administration’s immigration policies in federal court and protests against ICE raids intensified nationwide.
Padilla, attempting to question Noem about federal immigration enforcement, identified himself as a senator but was swiftly removed by Secret Service and FBI agents.
After he interrupted our press conference with law enforcement, I met with Senator Padilla for 15 minutes. We probably disagree on 90% of the topics but we agreed to exchanged phone numbers and we will continue to talk—that is the way it should be in this country.
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) June 12, 2025
I wish he… pic.twitter.com/WdDs26jyCY
The viral footage of him being handcuffed in a hallway sparked widespread outrage among Democrats and some Republicans in California and Washington. Noem, addressing the incident, claimed Padilla’s interruption was “inappropriate” and said she spoke with him afterward, though Padilla’s office did not confirm this.
Federal officials said his removal was appropriate. A DHS spokeswoman said that Padilla “chose disrespectful political theater and interrupted a live press conference without identifying himself.” She said Padilla was told to back away and didn’t comply with officers’ commands, and that Secret Service officers “thought he was an attacker.”
After the press conference, Noem said she and Padilla met after the incident and exchanged phone numbers.
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