Conservatives drag California senator after he interrupts press conference
Conservatives on social media were quick to criticize Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., for interrupting a Department of Homeland Security press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday, especially since the Senate was in session at the time. Padilla was removed from the event, and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem admitted that she did not know him personally.
Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva took to social media to express his frustration, stating, “This is embarrassing [Padilla] spare me the fake outrage. Where were you when LEOS were being pelted with bricks? Hiding along with puppet [Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna]? #FactsMatter.” Similarly, Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk tweeted, “Whoa!! A sitting US Senator, Alex Padilla, was just shoved and forcibly removed from a press conference with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. Reports are he’s been arrested. No one is above the law. It’s about time these Democrats stopped acting like they are.”
Conservative communications operative Steve Guest also weighed in, praising security for swiftly addressing the situation. He tweeted, “Sen. Padilla missed Senate votes all week, only to throw a temper tantrum, rush the stage where DHS Secretary Noem was speaking, and get forcibly removed by security. Good on security to quickly address the threat.”
The tensions between California leaders and the Trump administration have been mounting, particularly in relation to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the city. President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard to protect ICE officers, despite opposition from Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass, has sparked protests and riots in the area. Newsom condemned the move, calling it “unprecedented and a threat to our democracy.”
The incident involving Sen. Padilla at the press conference led to conflicting reports, with his office stating that he was forcibly removed, handcuffed, and forced to the ground by federal agents. However, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin confirmed that Padilla and Secretary Noem had a meeting after the scuffle, which reportedly went well. The FBI later clarified that Padilla was briefly detained by Secret Service agents for being disruptive during formal remarks but was subsequently released.
Despite the commotion, Padilla’s office clarified that he is not currently in police custody. The meeting between Padilla and Noem seemed to have helped ease tensions, as they exchanged phone numbers after the incident.
In conclusion, the clash between Sen. Padilla and DHS Secretary Noem highlights the ongoing political divide in California and the challenges faced by lawmakers in overseeing federal operations. The incident serves as a reminder of the contentious relationship between state officials and the Trump administration, particularly in matters related to immigration enforcement.
