Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from the DHS conference in LA

Quelle: VIDEOELEPHANT (Glomex)

The democratic Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed and handcuffed during a press conference by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles. Padilla, who chairs the Senate Subcommittee on Border Security and Immigration, interrupted Noem to ask about recent enforcement actions on immigration regulations that sparked protests. Video footage shows Padilla identifying himself as a Senator while being pushed out by federal agents. His office said he was pushed to the ground and handcuffed when he tried to ask a question. The Department of Homeland Security stated Padilla was not wearing his Senate pin and was a threat. The White House accused him of 'storming' the event and seeking attention. Noem later met privately with Padilla, but the incident was quickly condemned by both parties. California Governor Gavin Newsom called the arrest 'disgusting,' while Kamala Harris described it as 'shameful abuse of power.' Padilla defended his actions, saying he had already been in the building for a meeting and was seeking answers he did not receive. 'If DHS treats a Senator like this, one can imagine what they do to ordinary people,' he said.