Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) was swiftly removed from the room after he began to interrupt a news conference being held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles, where the Trump administration has deployed National Guardsmen and U.S. Marines in response to violent anti-ICE protests.
The outburst started after Noem said federal officials would stay and “liberate” the city from the “socialist” and “burdensome” leadership of California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Padilla started trying to speak loudly, after which security quickly started pushing him out.
BREAKING: California Democratic Senator @AlexPadilla4CA just crashed DHS Secretary Noem’s press conference in LA and was forcibly removed. pic.twitter.com/Q2sUWiImAM
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) June 12, 2025
“I’m Sen. Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary!” the Democrat cried as he tried, with little success, to stand his ground. Within moments, security shoved Padilla out the door. “Hands off!” he shouted as law enforcement kept him moving.
NBC News journalist Jacob Soboroff shared video that he said came from Padilla’s office, showing law enforcement officials pressing the senator to the ground and putting him in handcuffs.
Senator Padilla’s office sends me this video of his