Sen. Alex Padilla Forcibly Removed from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s Press Conference in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, June 13 — A tense moment unfolded during a Department of Homeland Security press briefing in Los Angeles as U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) was forcibly removed after attempting to question DHS Secretary Kristi Noem about immigration enforcement.
Source: Reuters
Padilla, wearing a shirt bearing the words “United States Senate,” stood up during the event and identified himself, saying, “I am Sen. Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary.” However, he was swiftly confronted by several plainclothes security personnel—later identified as members of the FBI and Secret Service—who removed him from the room.
A video shared by Padilla’s office shows the senator being dragged into a hallway, pinned to the ground, and handcuffed. Officers with FBI vests can be seen ordering him to put his hands behind his back as bystanders express shock.
Speaking later to reporters, Padilla explained that he was in the building awaiting a scheduled briefing with military officials when he learned Secretary Noem was hosting a press event. “I was there peacefully,” he said. “I asked a question and was immediately forced out, thrown to the ground, and handcuffed.”
Secretary Noem offered a conflicting account during a Fox News interview, claiming Padilla had “lunged toward the podium” and “did not identify himself.” She defended the removal, stating it was necessary for the safety and order of the briefing, which was held in a federal building.
“We were discussing vital immigration enforcement efforts,” said Noem. “This individual disrupted the briefing, and security acted accordingly.”
However, the Secret Service later confirmed Padilla posed no threat, stating he was interviewed and released after a brief conversation. They also facilitated a short meeting between Noem and Padilla following the incident.
Former Secret Service agent Anthony Cangelosi noted that the level of force may have been justified if Padilla resisted leaving, but added that if he had complied, the response could be viewed as excessive.
The clash comes amid rising tensions over immigration policies and federal crackdowns. Secretary Noem declared at the briefing that DHS and military personnel “will not retreat” from Los Angeles, vowing to “liberate the city” from what she called “socialist leadership.”
The incident has sparked renewed debate over freedom of speech, appropriate use of force, and transparency in federal immigration operations. Padilla has since called for an investigation and reaffirmed his commitment to holding federal agencies accountable.
