(The Center Square) – U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla was handcuffed by federal agents as he interrupted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s Los Angeles press conference Thursday.
DHS says Padilla, D-Calif., failed to identify himself and was not wearing his Senate security pin as he “lunged” toward Noem, who was in the middle of a press conference. Video shows Padilla identifying himself as he was being touched by federal agents.
Padilla says he was in the building for a briefing, and that upon learning Noem was a few doors down, sought to ask her a question and was forcibly removed upon beginning to speak.
“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,” wrote DHS. “Mr. Padilla was told repeatedly to back away and did not comply with officers’ repeated commands. Secret Service thought he was an attacker and officers acted appropriately.”
“Secretary Noem met with Senator Padilla after and held a 15 minute meeting,” continued DHS.
Soon thereafter, Padilla too held a press conference, explaining his version of events.
“I began to ask a question. I was almost immediately forcibly removed from the room. I was forced to the ground and I was handcuffed. I was not arrested. I was not detained,” said Padilla. “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 farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers.”
Padilla then retold his message in Spanish.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who has participated in the anti-deportation demonstrations, condemned DHS’s actions and shared a video of Padilla’s treatment.
“What just happened to Senator Alex Padilla is absolutely abhorrent and outrageous. He is a sitting United States Senator,” said Bass. “This administration’s violent attacks on our city must end.”
In the video shared by Bass, Padilla can be seen identifying himself and his position after being touched by federal agents, and before being pushed out of the room. A video from Padilla’s staff shows Padilla being forced on the ground onto his stomach, and handcuffed.
