Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif) refuted claims from the Trump administration that he confronted Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem aggressively during a press conference in Los Angeles.
“I didn’t charge at her or anyone else, and yes, I did identify myself,” Padilla told CNN’s Erin Burnett on Thursday night, following an incident where he had to leave the press conference in handcuffs.
Lawmakers attended a press conference last week to question the deployment of the National Guard by the president in response to local protests linked to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions.
“I’m just trying to do my job as a senator when I ask questions in committee and don’t get answers,” he added.
Padilla pointed out that officials had not responded to the lawmakers’ letters and that the press conference provided a chance to engage differently with the Trump administration regarding immigration operations.
“I had this opportunity and an audience, so I took it. Unfortunately, we still haven’t received any data or details,” the senator explained, recalling a brief interaction with Noem after the incident.
“You hope that’s how it starts, but there hasn’t been any apology or recognition. But given it’s the Trump administration, I’m not expecting much in terms of decency or courtesy,” he said to CNN.
“One of the main points I wanted to discuss with her was whether the Trump administration is following what Trump promised during his campaign. We need to focus on detaining and deporting dangerous, violent criminals. There’s really no debate about that.”
He expressed concern that legitimate residents are being wrongly detained and removed instead.
“Where is this headed? It’s likely to get worse. This is how authoritarianism starts unless people stand up and push back. That’s why we’re seeing more and more protesters, the majority of whom are peaceful, not just in Los Angeles, but in other cities as well last week,” he added.
“We must continue exercising our First Amendment rights while maintaining peace. Violence is unacceptable and has consequences.”
Some Republican lawmakers have suggested charging Padilla with federal offenses due to the incident involving Noem, while Democrats have defended his actions.
This situation with Padilla comes on the heels of federal allegations against Rep. Ramonica McQuiver, DN.J., who was reportedly arrested for obstructing law enforcement at an Immigration Detention Center and for allegedly confronting Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, DN.J., at the same location.
