Senator Removed by Force
On 12 June, federal agents forcefully removed and handcuffed U.S. Senator Alex Padilla during a Department of Homeland Security press conference in Los Angeles.
California Democrat Alex Padilla, the first Latino to represent the state in the Senate, tried to ask DHS Secretary Kristi Noem a question about recent immigration raids.
Federal agents restrained him before he could continue. This prompted swift backlash from lawmakers and civil rights groups nationwide.
Padilla, who was in the federal building for a scheduled briefing, entered the press event to address concerns about the National Guard deployment and aggressive immigration raids across California. The press conference came days after large-scale ICE operations ignited protests in Los Angeles and other cities, with over 1,000 arrests reported nationwide.
Viral Video Shows Senator Identifying Himself
Footage of the incident, which quickly circulated online, shows Padilla calmly stating his name and title before being pushed back, pinned to the floor, and handcuffed by officers — including FBI and Secret Service agents.
Homeland Security later claimed Padilla “lunged” toward Secretary Noem without proper identification, though multiple videos contradict that assertion.
Following the scuffle, Padilla met briefly with Noem and addressed the media, saying he had asked a question only after listening to her remarks and receiving little information through formal channels.
He emphasized that if federal agents could treat a U.S. senator so aggressively, immigrant workers in the community faced even greater risks of abuse.
Democrats Demand Accountability
The incident drew immediate condemnation from Democratic leaders. California Governor Gavin Newsom called it “dictatorial and shameful.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described the incident as ‘sickening’ and called for an immediate and thorough investigation.
Representative Maxwell Frost went further, calling for Secretary Noem to be subpoenaed by Congress, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus labeled the event an “assault against a sitting U.S. senator.”
Meanwhile, House Republicans defended law enforcement’s actions. Speaker Mike Johnson accused Padilla of “wildly inappropriate behavior” and suggested the Senate consider disciplinary measures.
Broader Tensions Over Immigration Policy
The confrontation came amid a nationwide escalation of immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. Raids have taken place at workplaces, churches, and even school events, with Los Angeles at the center of controversy.
A federal judge recently ruled that the administration’s deployment of California’s National Guard without state approval was illegal, siding with Newsom in an ongoing legal challenge.
The forceful removal of Senator Padilla has emerged as a flashpoint in the ongoing unrest. It reflects both the federal government’s increasingly aggressive stance and the widening political divisions in the United States.
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