LOS ANGELES — California Sen. Alex Padilla was forcibly removed by federal officers from a Department of Homeland Security press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday after attempting to ask a question of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
Padilla, a Democrat, was pushed to the ground and briefly handcuffed during the incident at the Wilshire Federal Building but was not arrested, according to statements from his office and DHS officials.
The confrontation occurred as Noem was addressing reporters on immigration enforcement matters amid ongoing protests in the city. Video footage and witness accounts showed Padilla interrupting the secretary’s remarks. Officers moved to remove him from the room after he did not immediately comply with commands to step back, according to officials.
Padilla’s office said the senator had been in the building and attempted to question Noem during the open press event. “He tried to ask the Secretary a question, and was forcibly removed by federal agents, forced to the ground and handcuffed,” a statement from his office said.
In remarks to reporters afterward, Padilla described being removed almost immediately after trying to speak. He said he was taken into a hallway, forced to the ground and handcuffed before identifying himself as a U.S. senator.
DHS officials offered a different account. A statement from the department said Secret Service personnel were unaware of Padilla’s identity at the time and acted because they believed he might pose a threat as he approached the podium without identifying himself. Noem and Padilla later spoke for about 15 minutes following the incident, according to DHS.
Noem told Fox News that Padilla “burst into the room and started launching towards the podium interrupting me and elevating his voice and was stopped, did not identify himself and was removed from the room.”
The episode drew immediate reactions from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Democrats condemned the removal as an overreaction, while some Republicans defended the security personnel’s actions.
Padilla, who represents California in the Senate, has been a vocal critic of certain Trump administration immigration policies. Noem, a former South Dakota governor, was confirmed as DHS secretary earlier this year.
As of Thursday evening, no formal complaints or charges had been filed related to the incident. Details about the exact sequence of events and security protocols in place remain under review by DHS, officials said.
The press conference continued after Padilla’s removal, with Noem addressing questions on ongoing enforcement operations in the Los Angeles area.
