Democratic US Senator Alex Padilla was shoved to the ground and handcuffed by federal security personnel after attempting to pose a question at a Los Angeles press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Reuters reported.
The incident occurred on Thursday during discussions about protests against President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement operations. Padilla, 52, identified himself, stating, “I am Senator Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary,” before agents intervened.
The Department of Homeland Security characterised Padilla’s actions as “disrespectful political theatre” in a social media statement. It asserted that the security service “thought he was an attacker and officers acted appropriately,” noting that Noem later met with the senator. Padilla was released shortly afterward but condemned the response.
If this is how the Department of Homeland Security responds to a senator with a question, you can only imagine what they’re doing to farmers, to cooks, to day-labourers throughout the Los Angeles community and throughout California and throughout the country.
However, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino defended the agents, stating that “the senator in question was not wearing a security pin and physically resisted law enforcement when confronted,” referencing identification lapel pins typically worn by senators.
Los Angeles witnessed sustained protests against Trump’s migrant crackdown, prompting the deployment of National Guard troops and US Marines to secure federal buildings and protect immigration agents. The administration previously warned it would probe officials resisting its immigration agenda, acting upon this with recent arrests.
