Senator Alex Padilla was escorted out of a press conference with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after he allegedly lunged at her during a discussion on anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles. The incident occurred when Padilla, a California senator, loudly spoke over Noem and approached her podium, leading authorities to escort him out of the room. The press conference was held at the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, and the incident drew immediate criticism from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who called the situation ‘outrages’ and blamed the Trump administration for the senator’s temporary detainment.
Padilla later claimed he was ‘forced to the ground,’ while Noem described his actions as ‘completely inappropriate’ and a breach of protocol, emphasizing the need for decorum in public office. The event has further highlighted the tensions between Democratic lawmakers and the current administration over immigration policies. Noem called Padilla’s behavior ‘unbecoming of a senator,’ stating that the public ‘is tired of this kind of action.’
Newsom took to X to comment on the incident, criticizing the situation as ‘dictatorial’ and blaming the Trump administration for the senator’s detainment. He praised Padilla as ‘one of the most decent people I know.’ The incident also occurred less than 24 hours after Padilla had been pulled out of the Congressional Baseball Game in Washington, D.C., to return to Los Angeles due to the ongoing riots. Padilla was slated to start at first base in the game but had to cut his trip short to address the situation.
The press conference was held in response to the ongoing anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles, a city with a significant immigrant population. The DHS, under Noem’s leadership, has been working to address the situation by ramping up arrests of convicted criminals and addressing the issues of violent illegal aliens. The incident has raised concerns about the handling of immigration policy and the tensions between different branches of government.