On Thursday, June 12, 2025, Democratic Senator Alex Padilla of California was forcibly removed and handcuffed by federal agents during a press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles, prompting widespread outrage among Democrats. Padilla, who was in the federal building for a scheduled briefing, attempted to question Noem about the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement actions, specifically challenging her claims about targeting “violent criminals” during ICE raids. Video footage shows Padilla identifying himself as a senator, saying, “I’m Senator Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary,” before being pushed out of the room, forced to the ground, and handcuffed by FBI and Secret Service agents.
Democrats condemned the incident as an abuse of power and a threat to democracy. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called it “despicable” and “disgusting,” demanding answers on the Senate floor. California Governor Gavin Newsom described it as “outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful,” warning, “If they can handcuff a U.S. Senator for asking a question, imagine what they will do to you.” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called it “absolutely abhorrent,” questioning how agents could not recognize a sitting senator. Senator Adam Schiff demanded Noem’s resignation and an investigation into the officers’ conduct, stating, “Alex Padilla had every right to go into that room and demand answers.” Other Democrats, including Kamala Harris, Hakeem Jeffries, and Cory Booker, echoed the outrage, with some labeling the incident as indicative of a “fascist state” or “dictatorship.”
The Department of Homeland Security and Noem defended the agents’ actions, claiming Padilla engaged in “disrespectful political theatre” by interrupting without identifying himself or wearing a Senate security pin and “lunging” toward Noem, prompting Secret Service to perceive him as a threat. Video evidence, however, shows Padilla announcing his identity multiple times, and he denied lunging, stating he was peacefully asking a question. Noem later met with Padilla for 15 minutes, describing the conversation as “productive,” but Padilla reported receiving no apology.
Republicans largely criticized Padilla, with House Speaker Mike Johnson calling his actions “wildly inappropriate” and suggesting he should be censured for “charging a Cabinet secretary.” White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson accused Padilla of seeking attention rather than answers. However, some Republicans, like Senator Lisa Murkowski, expressed concern, calling the incident “shocking” and “not the America I know.”
The incident, widely shared on social media and news outlets, heightened tensions amid California’s legal challenge to Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles, which a federal judge temporarily blocked on Thursday. Padilla warned that if a senator could be treated this way, “you can only imagine what they’re doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers,” framing the event as part of broader concerns about the administration’s immigration crackdown. Democrats’ calls for investigations and accountability continue to fuel political debate.
