Sen. Alex Padilla Handcuffed, Removed From DHS Secretary Noem’s Immigration Press Conference in Los Angeles

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, a California Democrat, was forcibly escorted from a news conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at a federal building in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday, June 12. Video of the incident shows security officers tackling the senator, forcing him to the ground and handcuffing him before removing him from the room. Padilla interrupted Noem’s remarks as she updated reporters on an ongoing federal immigration crackdown in Southern California. The senator attempted to press the secretary about the raids, which have sparked street protests and criticism from immigrant-rights advocates across the state. Authorities did not immediately say whether Padilla was arrested or cited. Representatives for both the Department of Homeland Security and the senator’s office declined to comment on the incident, which highlights escalating political tensions over immigration enforcement in California.