U.S. Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly handcuffed and removed by security personnel during a tense press conference on Thursday, after attempting to question Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about ongoing immigration protests in Los Angeles.
Padilla, a Democrat from California, identified himself as a sitting senator while attempting to speak.
“I am Senator Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary,” he said before being pushed to the ground by agents and escorted out.
“Hands off,” Padilla, 52, reportedly shouted as he was restrained. In a statement later, Padilla said he was “slammed to the ground and handcuffed without cause.”
Footage shared on social media appears to show three security agents subduing the senator and securing his hands behind his back. Reuters said it could not independently verify the video’s authenticity.
The incident unfolded as Secretary Noem delivered remarks on the Biden administration’s response to growing immigration protests in Los Angeles — sparked by President Donald Trump’s renewed immigration crackdown. In response to civil unrest, federal forces including National Guard troops and U.S. Marines were deployed to bolster security at government buildings and support ICE personnel.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the Department of Homeland Security accused Padilla of “disruptive political theater,” claiming he had ignored multiple commands to step back.
“Secret Service officers believed he was a threat and acted appropriately,” DHS said, adding that Noem later held a private conversation with Padilla.
The dramatic episode drew widespread criticism across party lines.
Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski condemned the handling of Padilla, saying,
“Senator Padilla is a tall man, sure — but watching how he was taken down was wrong and disturbing.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer delivered a fiery response on the Senate floor.
“What I saw sickened me — a United States senator manhandled by security,” Schumer said. “We demand answers — immediately.”
Top Senate Republican John Thune called for restraint, stating,
“We’ll respond, but first we need the full picture.”
This is not the first instance of a Democratic official being detained amid Trump-era immigration enforcement. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested for trespassing during a protest at a private immigration facility earlier in May. Though charges against him were later dropped, Representative LaMonica McIver was charged with assaulting officers during the same incident.
The Biden administration has not yet commented on Padilla’s treatment.
