Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif) became emotional during a speech on the Senate floor, discussing an incident where he was forcibly removed from a press conference held by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Los Angeles.
Democrats noted that a federal agent “silently stood by” as Padilla struggled on the ground, trying to address Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem (R) last Thursday.
“I was physically and forcefully kicked out of the room. Despite repeatedly stating that I am a U.S. Senator, I found myself in a situation where the secretary wouldn’t answer my questions. As a National Guard member, my escort brought me to that briefing room. I was quietly standing there, fully aware of my identity…
Padilla described how the agent pushed him down, making it difficult for him to gather his thoughts.
“I truly hope there will never be a moment like this again,” he said, his voice trembling as he referred to Noem.
“At that point, a lot of questions flooded my mind. For instance, where are they taking me? Am I being arrested?”
“What do militarized cities think when they see U.S. senators handcuffed just for trying to ask questions?”
Noem responded, calling Padilla’s behavior at the press conference “inappropriate,” and White House officials backed his removal.
“I believe most Americans would agree that this is not suitable, particularly for someone in a leadership position. If you’re trying to engage in a conversation, this is not the way to do it,” Noem stated to reporters.
The White House issued a statement supporting Padilla’s removal.
“Padilla didn’t seek answers; he craved attention. His actions were immature and embarrassed himself and his constituents. But he suggests that Democrats are stirring more controversy regarding violent law enforcement actions in Los Angeles.”
Some Republican lawmakers, however, have raised concerns about Padilla’s conduct.
“I saw that clip. It’s unsettling. It’s shocking on many levels. This is not the America I know,” remarked Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) last week.
Meanwhile, President Trump has been trying to address recent protests against immigration enforcement, with 7,000 California National Guard members and numerous Marines deployed in Los Angeles. The Trump administration has temporarily taken charge of a lawsuit brought by California officials who challenged federal actions.
