Sen. Alex Padilla says the way he was removed from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s press conference in Los Angeles raises concerns about how the Trump administration is treating people who do not serve in elected office.
Mr. Padilla, California Democrat, was forcefully removed Thursday after he barged into a press conference to grill Ms. Noem on the decision to deploy the California National Guard in response to protests against immigration enforcement operations.
“If that is how they treat a senator trying to ask a question, here is one of my big takeaways, then imagine, not what they can do, what they are doing to so many people without titles,” Mr. Padilla said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
He said he would not have a beef with the administration if it were “truly focusing on dangerous violent criminals.”
“There would be no disagreement, but we have seen story after story after story of hardworking women and men, maybe undocumented, but otherwise law-abiding, good people, being subject to the terror that this immigration enforcement operation is subjecting the people to,” the senator said. “I needed to speak up.”
The debate over immigration spilled over into the streets of Los Angeles this week, pitting President Trump against California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and members of the state’s congressional delegation.
White House border czar Tom Homan has said that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were carrying out sweeps targeting violent illegal migrants and that it is their duty to arrest other illegal immigrants caught up in the effort.
In response to Mr. Padilla’s actions, the Trump administration said the senator was attempting to manufacture a moment to score political points.
“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 Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin posted on X.
Ms. McLaughlin said that Mr. Padilla refused to comply with law enforcement officers and that the Secret Service thought he was “an attacker and acted appropriately.” She also said that Ms. Noem met with Mr. Padilla afterward for 15 minutes.
“Hands off!” Mr. Padilla shouted as two men used their bodies to push him out of the room where Ms. Noem was appearing to talk about ongoing deportation operations in the city, and the protests they spawned.
“I’m Senator Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary,” Mr. Padilla said as he was pushed back through the reporters present and finally out the doorway.
He was forced onto the ground outside and handcuffed.
On Sunday, Mr. Padilla did not mention meeting with Ms. Noem after the altercation during his appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union.” Instead, he cast himself as a victim.
Mr. Padilla said he was escorted into the room by a National Guard soldier and an FBI agent, and he was upset that Ms. Noem did not recognize him.
“How does the Cabinet secretary not know the senator from California when she steps foot into Los Angeles?” he said. “How does the secretary of Homeland Security not know how to de-escalate a situation. It is because she can’t or she doesn’t want to?”
“Donald Trump and Secretary Noem have set the tone for the Department of Homeland Security and the entire administration in terms of escalation and extreme enforcement actions,” Mr. Padilla said.
