Sen. Padilla calls forcible DHS removal a 'wake‑up' call
Sen. Alex Padilla (D‑Calif.) said in a recent interview that his forcible removal and handcuffing after attempting to ask DHS Secretary Kristi Noem a question at a June 12, 2025 press conference in Los Angeles should serve as a 'wake‑up call.' Padilla recounted the incident, criticized the administration’s response, cited broader concerns about National Guard deployments and treatment of people when cameras are not present, and said he received no apology from Secretary Noem.
Politics
Public Safety
📌 Key Facts
- Sen. Alex Padilla was handcuffed and removed from a DHS press conference at the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles on June 12, 2025.
- Padilla told the New York Times he received no apology from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and described the episode as 'a wake‑up call.'
- Padilla said the response was 'at minimum... a hell of an overreaction' and linked it to broader concerns about how the administration treats people when cameras are not present.