Democratic Senator Alex Padilla was pushed out, forced face down, and handcuffed by security when he attempted to question Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a press conference on the Los Angeles protests.
Bystander footage showed Padilla saying, “I’m Senator Alex Padilla, I have questions for the secretary,” before being restrained. Lawmakers from both parties condemned the incident. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski called it “disgusting,” while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “We need answers immediately.”
The Department of Homeland Security defended the action, stating Padilla didn’t identify himself or wear his Senate badge and “lunged” toward Noem. “The Secret Service thought he was an assailant,” the statement read. Noem later met privately with Padilla for 15 minutes.
TR