NOTE: VIDEO AT THE END OF ARTICLE
Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) was escorted out of a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday after approaching the stage and interrupting DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s remarks. The incident occurred during a briefing on ongoing immigration enforcement efforts and recent protests in the region.
Witnesses say Padilla moved quickly toward the podium without clearly identifying himself and began shouting questions at Secretary Noem. Video of the event, widely circulated on social media, shows Padilla being restrained by federal agents and briefly placed in handcuffs before being released.
In a statement shared on DHS’s official social media channels, officials described Padilla’s actions as “disrespectful political theatre” and said he had ignored multiple requests to step back. The department confirmed that Padilla and Secretary Noem later held a private conversation for about 15 minutes.
Secretary Noem commented briefly afterward, saying, “People need to identify themselves before they start lunging at others during press conferences. I’ll let law enforcement speak to how the situation was handled.”
Padilla offered a different account at a separate press conference following the incident. He said he had identified himself to officials before entering the room and was attending a previously scheduled briefing in the same federal building. The senator claimed he was attempting to perform oversight duties related to immigration enforcement.
“I was there peacefully,” Padilla said. “At one point I asked a question, and I was almost immediately forced to the ground and handcuffed. I was not arrested or detained.”
Padilla also explained that his previous requests for a formal meeting with DHS had not been successful, prompting him to attend the press conference to seek information directly.
While members of Congress do have oversight responsibilities over executive agencies, such interactions are typically conducted through hearings or scheduled meetings—not at press events.
The incident highlights the growing tension between Democratic lawmakers and the Trump administration’s immigration policies, particularly in cities like Los Angeles where protests have intensified in recent days.
Neither DHS nor Sen. Padilla’s office has indicated whether further discussions or actions will follow
