CA Senator Alex Padilla forcibly removed from Kristi Noem’s press conference
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (KESQ) - LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Sen. Alex Padilla, D-California, was forcibly
removed today from a West Los Angeles news conference being held by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and he was subsequently forced to a hallway floor and placed in handcuffs.
Noem was in the middle of her remarks at the news conference at the West Los Angeles federal building, discussing ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the city, when Padilla tried to interrupt her. At that point, federal officers in the room forcibly grabbed Padilla and pushed him out of a door and into a hallway. Padilla continued speaking loudly as he was removed from the room.
According to video from the scene, Padilla was led into a hallway where three federal officers forced him to the ground on his stomach, and his hands were cuffed behind his back.
According to a statement from Padilla's office issued about 30 minutes later, the senator ``is not currently detained,'' but there were no immediate details on his whereabouts.
Asked about the incident, Noem said she was unaware that Padilla was going to be in attendance at her news conference, and said she had not received any request from him or his office to speak with her. She called Padilla's actions at the news conference ``inappropriate,'' but said she planned to speak with him.
``I don't even know the senator. He did not request a meeting with me or to speak with me,'' Noem said. ``So when I leave here I'll have a conversation with him and find out really what his concerns were. I think everybody in America would agree that that was inappropriate.''
DHS statement
Senator Padilla chose disrespectful political theatre and interrupted a live press conference without identifying himself or having his Senate security pin on as he lunged toward Secretary Noem.
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) June 12, 2025
Mr. Padilla was told repeatedly to back away and did not comply with officers’… https://t.co/5TGxrRZ2Ex
The statement from Padilla's office said the senator "is currently in Los Angeles exercising his duty to perform congressional oversight of the federal government's operations in Los Angeles and across California."
"He was in the federal building to receive a briefing with General (Gregory) Guillot and was listening to Secretary Noem's press conference. He tried to ask the Secretary a question, and was forcibly removed by federal agents, forced to the ground and handcuffed. He is not currently detained, and we are working to get additional information."
Guillot is an Air Force general and commander of U.S. Northern Command, which oversees homeland defense, and North American Aerospace Defense Command.
Negative reaction to Padilla's ejection from the news conference was quick from area Democrats, with Mayor Karen Bass posting on X, "What just happened to (Padilla) is absolutely abhorrent and outrageous. He is a sitting United States Senator. This administration's violent attacks on our city must end."
Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote on X that Padilla "is one of the most decent people I know. This is outrageous, dictatorial and shameful. (President Donald) Trump and his shock troops are out of control. This must end now. If they can handcuff a U.S. Senator for asking a question, imagine what they will do to you.''
If they can handcuff a U.S. Senator for asking a question, imagine what they will do to you. pic.twitter.com/cHmK5KZIVF
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 12, 2025
Assemblyman Mark González, D-Los Angeles, issued a statement saying, "This isn't just an insult to Senator Padilla, it's an attack on the dignity of our democratic institutions and the people he represents."
