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Democratic Senator Alex Padilla from California commented on Sunday that he was merely trying to ask a question when he was forcibly removed from a press conference led by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles last week.
During his appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Padilla shared his account, explaining that he was already in the building for a different briefing when he chose to attend Noem’s press conference addressing recent immigration protests and riots occurring in Los Angeles.
What unfolded next, he noted, was like something you’d see in a movie.
“I wasn’t being rude or disruptive – I believe I wasn’t,” the senator expressed. “I was just trying to ask a question like members of the press and Congress do to hold the administration accountable.”
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Padilla was handcuffed and briefly detained by officers as he tried to voice his opposition to immigration raids by the Trump administration, which led to unrest in Los Angeles and smaller protests nationwide this month.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks at a news conference regarding recent protests in Los Angeles on June 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
Footage of the incident shows Padilla attempting to approach Noem while she spoke at the podium, trying to shout over her, but law enforcement intervened and forcibly stopped his approach.
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Eventually, Padilla was removed from the room, taken to the ground, and handcuffed, as indicated by the videos. Fox News reporters present at the conference noted that Padilla seemed to be detained for a brief period.
Afterward, Padilla and Noem had a meeting that Padilla’s office referred to as “civil,” while Noem described it as “cordial” despite their significant disagreements.
Padilla later mentioned during another Sunday appearance on CBS’ “Face the Nation” that he didn’t gain “any substantial or informative” insights from the subsequent meeting with Noem.
Fox News Digital’s Paul Steinhauser and Cameron Arcand contributed to this report.
