US Senator Alex Padilla of California was forcibly removed from a press conference and handcuffed to try to confront internal security secretary Kristi Noem while she reported reporters about a federal repression of immigration in Los Angeles.
After Padilla demands that the men take off his hands, he was then thrown to the ground by agents outside the press room, according to a video published in the X. Security officials present participants to stop shooting the confusion.
Padilla, son of Mexican immigrants and the first Latin Senator of California, is not currently arrested, according to his office. He was in the federal building to receive information from military officers who command troops sent to Los Angeles by President Donald Trump.
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“He tried to ask the secretary a question and was forcibly removed by federal agents, forced to the ground and handcuffed,” said Padilla’s office. “We are working for more information.”
The internal security department defended the action, saying that the Democratic Senator did not identify himself properly, although videos show Padilla saying who it was while the agents approached him. The agency accused him of “moving” toward Noem, although the video indicates that the agents detained him before he approached her.
Noem left the building escorted by several security guards. She said she changed telephone numbers with Padilla after the incident.
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“I think everyone in the United States would agree that it was not appropriate, that if you wanted to have a civilized discussion, especially as a leader, as a public authority, you would seek and try to have a conversation,” she told reporters.
The treatment given to Padilla generated immediate conviction of Democrats in Congress. Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said the video “gave me nausea.” Adam Schiff, Padilla’s colleague in the Senate for California, said the agents had a “shameful and disrespectful conduct.”
Noem appeared in Los Angeles while federal immigration authorities intensified a deportation campaign in the region. The Trump government states that immigration operations target indocmented criminals, but according to activists, the beats have also hit lava and a clothing factory.
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“Let’s not leave,” said Noem. “We will stay here to free this city from socialist and costly leadership that this governor and this mayor imposed on our country.”
Amid the US Immigration Inspection Campaign, Trump has summoned thousands of National Guard soldiers to the region and 700 Active Naval Marines.
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