California Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from a news conference held by President Donald Trump's Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday, marking a significant escalation in tensions over controversial immigration policies.
The incident occurred at a federal building in Los Angeles as Padilla attempted to question Noem about immigration operations that have caused controversy in America's second-largest city. Video footage shows two men physically removing the Senator from the room as he tried to introduce himself, saying, "I'm Senator Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary."
Footage captured by Padilla's staff shows the lawmaker being pushed to the ground by FBI agents outside the conference room, intensifying the political fallout from the confrontation.
Conflicting Accounts of the Incident
The Department of Homeland Security later claimed that Senator Padilla had "lunged" toward Secretary Noem. Assistant Secretary Trisha McLaughlin stated on social media that Padilla failed to follow security protocols, including properly identifying himself and wearing his Senate security pin.
"The Secret Service thought the Senator was an attacker and swung into action immediately," McLaughlin explained, adding that Padilla and Noem later met privately for 15 minutes following the incident.
Secretary Noem characterized the Senator's interruption as "inappropriate" and claimed he had never requested a formal meeting with her.
California Governor Condemns Action
California Governor Gavin Newsom swiftly condemned the treatment of Senator Padilla, describing it as "outrageous, dictatorial and shameful." Newsom directly blamed President Trump, claiming the President and his security agents, whom he described as "shock troops," are "out of control," and demanding that "This must end now."
The confrontation highlights growing tensions between federal and state authorities over immigration enforcement policies under the Trump administration, particularly in states like California that have adopted more protective stances toward immigrant communities.
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