Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif) found himself handcuffed by security after a press conference led by Governor Kristi Noem in Los Angeles. He attributed his decision to speak out to “misinformation” from the Secretary of Homeland Security, dismissing various claims about his actions as “all BS.”
During an interview with Pod Save America, Padilla explained that his planned briefing was postponed because some individuals he intended to meet had attended Noem’s press conference. “We were waiting and thought, ‘Well, if they’re not responding to us, maybe we should ask if there’s something they want to say,'” he mentioned.
Padilla recounted being “literally escorted by national security guards and FBI agents” into the room. “They opened the door for me. I was standing behind trying to hear, but I didn’t want to be in front of the cameras or the reporters. I was aware of the misinformation,” he said.
“Anyone who watched the video knows I introduced myself multiple times. They knew who I was. I wasn’t rushing at the secretary; I was just trying to ask questions,” he added.
He described the moment when he found himself surrounded by multiple agents, stating, “It took only 30 seconds for me to be pushed out the door, and before I knew it, I was on my knees, handcuffed on the ground.”
Management officials defended Noem’s security team, claiming they acted appropriately in dealing with an unidentified individual despite Padilla’s introduction: “Senator Alex Padilla. I have a question for the secretary.” They also criticized him for not wearing his Senate pins, which allow U.S. Capitol police to identify lawmakers.
Padilla faced backlash for what some described as an immature stunt during the incident, suggesting that Noem’s narrative painted him as contributing to volatility against LA law enforcement.
In the podcast, Padilla noted he was wearing a shirt emblazoned with the U.S. Senate logo that day. “I say I’m a U.S. Senator. And if you watch the video, you can see I introduced myself repeatedly. This is all spin,” he insisted.
He also shared his experience of meeting with Noem following the press conference, marking it as their first conversation, though he received limited answers to his inquiries. “That’s why I agreed to a meeting with her, despite being handcuffed,” he stated.
The discussion lasted about 10 minutes, and Padilla emphasized, “The main takeaway is, if they feel threatened enough to send agents to handcuff U.S. Senators, imagine what they’re doing to the people out there. These are dangerous times for the United States.”
