Sen. Alex Padilla was forcibly removed, handcuffed, and taken to the ground during a June 12 press conference in Los Angeles after interrupting Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem amid protests over immigration raids. Padilla, a California Democrat, attempted to question Noem when security intervened. Noem said she didn’t know Padilla and deemed the interruption inappropriate.
Padilla’s office stated he was in L.A. conducting Congressional oversight and is not currently detained. The incident, caught on video, sparked backlash from Democrats. Gov. Gavin Newsom warned it sets a troubling precedent, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the act “un-American,” demanding an investigation.