On June 12, 2025, a dramatic and unsettling scene unfolded in Los Angeles when Democratic U.S. Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed and handcuffed during a press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The event, which took place at a federal building amid rising tensions over immigration enforcement operations in the city, has sparked outrage and deepened political divides over the Trump administration's immigration policies.
Padilla, California's first Latino U.S. senator and a vocal critic of President Donald Trump's mass deportation agenda, attempted to question Secretary Noem during the briefing. Video footage shared by Padilla's office shows the senator stating, "I am Sen. Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary," before being grabbed by Secret Service agents and pushed out of the room. The footage further reveals Padilla being forced face down onto the floor in a hallway, handcuffed by officers wearing FBI vests, and held there briefly before being released.
The confrontation occurred shortly after Noem had delivered pointed remarks about the federal government's increasing operations in Los Angeles. She declared, "We are not going away. We are staying here to liberate this city from the socialist and the burdensome leadership that this governor and that this mayor have placed on this country," referencing California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, both Democrats.
Padilla was attending the federal building for a briefing with Gen. Gregory Michael Guillot, commander of United States Northern Command, which oversees National Guard operations. While awaiting the briefing, he learned of Noem's press conference and decided to attend, hoping to gain clarity on the administration's immigration enforcement actions. Padilla expressed frustration over unanswered questions from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and stated, "I was there peacefully... I began to ask a question and was almost immediately forcibly removed from the room, I was forced to the ground, and I was handcuffed." He emphasized that his approach was peaceful and grounded in his congressional oversight responsibilities.
The DHS responded swiftly on social media, claiming that Padilla "chose disrespectful political theatre" and that Secret Service agents perceived him as an attacker. They alleged he did not identify himself or wear his Senate security pin and that he lunged toward Secretary Noem, ignoring repeated commands to back away. However, video evidence contradicts the claim that Padilla failed to identify himself, as he audibly declared his identity during the incident. DHS maintained that officers acted appropriately given the circumstances.
Secretary Noem, in a subsequent interview with Fox News, described Padilla's behavior as "political theater" and said he appeared to be lunging toward her, adding, "Nobody knew who he was." She noted that she later held a 15-minute meeting with Padilla, during which they exchanged phone numbers and agreed to continue dialogue despite their disagreements on most topics.
The FBI confirmed Padilla was briefly detained by Secret Service agents and FBI police officers, who were assisting at the event. They noted that Padilla was not wearing his Senate security pin but was positively identified and released promptly. Secret Service officials also stated they interviewed Padilla after the incident and determined he posed no threat to Secretary Noem.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from Democratic leaders. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described the event on the Senate floor as "the manhandling of a United States senator" and demanded immediate answers, saying, "I just saw something that sickened my stomach." California's other senator, Adam Schiff, called the conduct of DHS agents "disgraceful and disrespectful" and vowed that Padilla "will not be silenced or intimidated." Governor Newsom labeled the episode "outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful," accusing the Trump administration of being "out of control." Former Vice President Kamala Harris, who appointed Padilla to the Senate in 2021, called the removal "a shameful and stunning abuse of power." She highlighted that Padilla was representing millions of Californians demanding answers about the administration's actions.
Senator Elizabeth Warren weighed in, asserting that President Trump is making the country "look more and more like a fascist state," and urged Republican senators to defend democracy. Senator Tina Smith called for Secretary Noem's resignation, asserting there was no justification for Padilla's treatment and insisting accountability was necessary.
Republican responses were mixed. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson accused Padilla of grandstanding, stating, "Padilla didn’t want answers; he wanted attention," and criticized his actions as "immature, theater-kid stunt." Senator Lindsey Graham suggested Padilla should focus on advocating for rational immigration policy rather than confrontational behavior. Conversely, Senator Susan Collins described the video of Padilla's removal as "very disturbing" and expressed difficulty imagining a justification for such force.
The incident comes amid escalating tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in Los Angeles and nationwide. President Trump has deployed National Guard members and 700 Marines to assist law enforcement in the city following protests and clashes over ICE raids. These operations target undocumented immigrants, including asylum seekers, visa overstayers, and migrants awaiting court hearings, as part of the administration's mass deportation plan.
Since June 8, Los Angeles police have made nearly 400 arrests related to demonstrations, mostly for failing to disperse when ordered. A limited curfew was imposed over a 1-square-mile area of downtown Los Angeles due to reports of vandalism and looting, though no arrests for those specific crimes were reported in subsequent updates.
On the same day as Padilla's removal, a federal judge was scheduled to hear arguments from California officials challenging the federal government's use of National Guard and Marine forces in the state. Governor Newsom sought to limit the scope of these military missions, highlighting ongoing disputes between state and federal authorities.
The Padilla incident also echoes recent arrests and indictments of Democratic officials related to immigration protests. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested and later had charges dropped after a confrontation at an ICE facility, while Representative LaMonica McIver was indicted on federal charges stemming from a similar event. Trump's "border czar," Tom Homan, has suggested that Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass could face arrest if they interfere with federal agents.
Reflecting on his treatment, Padilla voiced concern about the broader implications for immigrant communities, stating, "If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question, you can only imagine what they are doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers out in the Los Angeles community and throughout California and throughout the country."
This confrontation underscores the fraught atmosphere surrounding immigration enforcement and political discourse in the United States, highlighting the challenges of congressional oversight amid an administration willing to use aggressive tactics. As lawmakers and officials continue to debate the balance between security and civil liberties, the Padilla incident stands as a stark reminder of the tensions gripping the nation.
