Padilla claims he wasn’t disruptive despite shouting over Noem at presser

Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla of California made headlines last week when he was forcibly removed from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s press conference in Los Angeles. Padilla claimed that he was simply trying to ask a question and was not trying to be disruptive.

During an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Padilla explained that he was already in the building for a separate briefing when he decided to attend Noem’s press conference on recent immigration protests and riots in Los Angeles. He emphasized that he was just doing his job as a senator to hold the administration accountable.

The situation escalated quickly, with Padilla being handcuffed and briefly detained by officers as he tried to speak out against Trump administration immigration raids that had sparked unrest in Los Angeles and other parts of the country. Videos of the incident showed Padilla attempting to approach Noem while she was speaking at a podium, but law enforcement intervened and stopped him from advancing.

Despite the dramatic confrontation, Padilla and Noem later had a meeting that Padilla’s office described as “civil.” Noem also characterized the meeting as “cordial,” despite their strong disagreements.

Padilla later appeared on CBS’ “Face the Nation” and stated that he learned “nothing substantive, nothing informative” from the meeting with Noem. The incident at the press conference triggered mixed reactions from lawmakers, with some calling it a “disgusting situation.”

Overall, the confrontation between Padilla and Noem highlighted the tension surrounding immigration issues and the challenges of holding the administration accountable. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of civil discourse and respectful dialogue in political interactions.

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