Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) stated on Thursday that Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) should face charges after his incident with law enforcement amid pressures from the Department of Homeland Security.
Although Padilla identified himself as a senator, he wasn’t wearing any identifying pin that marks civilian lawmakers.
“I think he should be charged. He should be charged,” Greene expressed during her appearance on News Nation’s “Hill.”
Padilla had been attending a press conference where he engaged with Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem, amidst the tumultuous protests occurring in California.
Greene argued that Padilla’s arrest was warranted because he lacked the proper identification that “secret service and all Capitol police are trained to see.”
“He approached in a very aggressive manner and he indeed resisted arrest. He was denied the opportunity to leave,” Greene told host Blake Berman.
On the other hand, Padilla defended his actions during the press conference, clarifying that while he was handcuffed, he was not actually arrested or detained.
“At one point, I had a question, and let me make this clear. […] People have the right to protest peacefully and advocate for their first amendment rights. I was there peacefully, but when I started to ask questions, I was forcibly removed from the room. I was taken to the ground and handcuffed,” he recounted.
A video of the incident quickly gained traction on social media, prompting Washington Democrats to rally against Padilla’s removal from the Noem press conference.
“If this is how the administration treats senators with questions, I shudder to think about how they’re treating farm workers, chefs, and the communities in Los Angeles and beyond,” he remarked.
Local leaders accused President Trump of escalating tensions in California after he called in the National Guard and Marines on Sunday, and also suggested he might seek to arrest Governor Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.).
Newsom criticized the Trump administration on Thursday for detaining key members of the state legislature.
“@senalexpadilla is one of the most decent people I know. This situation is outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful. [President] Trump and his shocking army are out of control. This must end,” Newsom stated, alongside a video of Padilla’s removal that circulated online.
Governor Newsom later posted on social media, saying, “If you can cuff U.S. senators for asking questions, just imagine what they might do to you,” as Padilla was depicted on the ground surrounded by FBI agents.
