Senator Padilla Escorted Out Of Trump Security Chief’s First Press Conference

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla of California was forcibly removed from a news conference on Thursday held by Homeland Security Chief Kristi Noem, appointed by President Donald Trump.

The incident marks a new flashpoint in the ongoing tensions surrounding controversial immigration arrests.

Padilla was reportedly pushed and shoved out of a federal building in Los Angeles as he attempted to question Noem about enforcement operations that have unsettled the city.

Two men approached the Senator and grabbed him in front of reporters as he tried to say, “I’m Senator Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary.”

Footage posted on social media by Senator Padilla’s staff shows the moment the lawmaker was pushed to the ground by FBI agents outside the press briefing room.

The Department of Homeland Security later claimed that Padilla had “lunged” at Secretary Kristi Noem during the live event, accusing him of showing “no respect” in an attempt to disrupt the proceedings.

Assistant Secretary Trisha McLaughlin, writing on social media, stated that the Senator failed to adhere to strict security protocols, including properly identifying himself and wearing his Senate security pin.

She defended the FBI’s response, saying the Secret Service mistook Padilla for a potential threat and acted immediately to neutralize the situation.

Following the altercation, Padilla and Noem reportedly held a 15-minute meeting. Noem later described Padilla’s interruption as “inappropriate,” noting that no formal meeting request had been made prior to the briefing.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has since weighed in on the incident.

The Governor described the treatment of the Senator as “outrageous, dictatorial and shameful.”

He blamed President Donald Trump for the incident, accusing the President and his security personnel—whom he described as “shock troops”—of being out of control. He added, “This must end now.”