Senator Alex Padilla was handcuffed and escorted out of a federal press conference on Wednesday after repeatedly interrupting Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during her address on the recent Los Angeles riots.
The incident occurred during a scheduled DHS update, where Noem was outlining federal responses to days of escalating unrest tied to immigration enforcement operations. Padilla, who has been an outspoken critic of DHS actions in California, stood up during the briefing and began shouting over Noem’s remarks, accusing the department of human rights violations.
Security officials quickly intervened, asking Padilla to step back. When he refused, he was handcuffed and removed from the venue. Bystanders captured the scene, showing the senator visibly agitated and resisting the request to leave.
Padilla’s office later released a statement condemning what it called a “violent overreach” by federal security and defended his actions as an “act of civil resistance.” DHS officials said the press conference was interrupted unlawfully and stressed that no one, regardless of position, is above security protocols.
The heated exchange adds fuel to the growing political tension surrounding federal immigration crackdowns and the riots that have rocked parts of Los Angeles.