Sen. Padilla Forcibly Removed from Noem’s Press Conference in LA
Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from a press conference by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s security after attempting to ask questions. The incident has sparked bipartisan outrage, questions about immigration enforcement, and raised significant political tensions, as officials react to the treatment Padilla faced. Meanwhile, larger concerns over immigration policies are revived amid ongoing protests across the country.
Tensions flared at a press conference in Los Angeles when Senator Alex Padilla found himself forcibly removed while attempting to question Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The incident unfolded Thursday when Padilla, a Democrat from California, asserted, “I am Sen. Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary,” just before he was approached by plainclothes agents.
In a video shared by Padilla’s office, he can be seen being escorted into a hallway where he was pushed face forward onto the ground and handcuffed, as FBI agents and Secret Service members instructed him to comply. This follows recent controversies surrounding President Trump’s immigration policy and subsequent protests across the nation, including clashes in Los Angeles that prompted National Guard intervention.
Before the incident escalated, Noem spoke to reporters about ongoing enforcement actions in Los Angeles. She indicated that the DHS and military forces would not exit the city, aiming to, “liberate this city from the socialist and burdensome leadership,” referring to the state’s Democratic leaders. Padilla attempted to voice his concerns, was interrupted by Noem, and was subsequently removed.
Former Secret Service agent, Anthony Cangelosi, suggested that the force used could be justified if Padilla resisted departure, stating, “The facts and circumstances of him resisting the officers makes their use of force legitimate.” However, had Padilla complied, the actions might have been excessive.
Padilla later expressed confusion as to why he was detained, mentioning his identification as a Senator was visible due to his attire. “I kept repeatedly asking them, ‘Why am I being detained?’ No answer,” he told reporters, highlighting a perceived lack of communication from the officers.
Repercussions reverberated through Congress with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer expressing his disgust on the floor, condemning the treatment of Padilla. Similarly, fellow Californian Senator Adam Schiff defended Padilla, insisting, “He will not be silenced or intimidated.” Governor Newsom also criticized the action, decrying it as dictatorial, while Harris labelled it as an abuse of power.
Conversely, Republicans reacted with scorn towards Padilla’s actions. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson characterized him as seeking attention, rather than answers. Senator Lindsey Graham suggested Padilla should focus on rational immigration policy instead of seeking the spotlight, amidst claims that he had been idle during competitive immigration challenges.
Meanwhile, the political landscape is still fraught with recent arrests of Democratic officials related to immigration, raising questions about treatment and policy enforcement under the current administration. With Padilla asserting this incident reflects broader issues within immigration raids, he warned, “If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question… you can only imagine what they’re doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers” in California and beyond.
The forced removal of Senator Padilla from Secretary Noem’s press conference has ignited a flurry of political outrage, shining a light on immigration policies and law enforcement actions. As Padilla questions the response of the Department of Homeland Security, bipartisan reactions illustrate a tense political atmosphere. Advocates demand answers, while critics weigh in with their stance on Padilla’s conduct. It remains to be seen what the long-term implications will be for both future press interactions and broader immigration practices under the Trump administration.
Original Source: www.nbcnews.com