In a dramatic and widely condemned incident, California Senator Alex Padilla—the first Hispanic to represent the state in the U.S. Senate—was forcibly removed, handcuffed, and briefly detained during a press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles on June 12, 2025.
Padilla had attended the event to receive a scheduled briefing with military officials but attempted to question Secretary Noem during her remarks on immigration enforcement. As he identified himself and began to speak, several federal agents, including individuals wearing FBI insignia, physically pushed him out of the room. Video footage released by Padilla’s office shows him being forced to the ground in a hallway and handcuffed while shouting, “Hands off!”.
The senator was not arrested or formally detained, but the incident has sparked intense backlash. Padilla later stated he was exercising his constitutional duty to conduct congressional oversight and was peacefully seeking answers about federal operations in California.
The confrontation occurred amid heightened tensions over the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Los Angeles, which has included ICE raids and the deployment of National Guard troops. Critics, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and California Governor Gavin Newsom, denounced the treatment of Padilla as “outrageous” and “dictatorial,” calling for immediate investigations.
🚨 ESPOSAN Y TIRAN AL SUELO A SENADOR HISPANO EN EE.UU.
— LuisCardenasMX (@LuisCardenasMx) June 12, 2025
El senador de California @SenAlexPadilla, primer hispano en ocupar ese cargo en el estado, fue esposado y tirado al suelo al intentar cuestionar a la secretaria Kristi Noem en una conferencia pública.
Lo denunció… pic.twitter.com/3GO5YxDdq7
Secretary Noem, when asked about the incident, said she had not been informed of Padilla’s presence beforehand but expressed willingness to speak with him afterward.
The episode has ignited a broader debate about the limits of executive power, the role of congressional oversight, and the treatment of elected officials, especially those from historically underrepresented communities, during moments of political dissent. As the footage circulates and public scrutiny intensifies, many are calling this a pivotal moment for democratic accountability.
Source: CNBC News
