By: Manoah kikekon
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| Alex Padilla |
Senate Democrats are condemning what they call the "public humiliation" of Senator Alex Padilla after federal agents handcuffed, arrested, and forced him to the ground for interrupting a press briefing by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
The dramatic confrontation, which unfolded in Huntington Park, California, has sparked outrage among top Democratic leaders.
According to the New York Times, the incident occurred Thursday morning as Noem addressed immigration operations. Padilla, identifying himself as a U.S. senator, raised his voice to ask questionsonly to be forcibly removed, handcuffed, and made to sit on the floor before being released.
California Governor Gavin Newsom shared an image of Padilla’s arrest on X, warning: "If they can handcuff a U.S. senator for asking a question, imagine what they will do to you."
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) demanded accountability, stating: "Every single person involved in manhandling Senator Padilla should be held responsible to the fullest extent of the law."
Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) called the footage "outrageous, disgraceful, and sickening," adding: "He identified himself as Senator Padilla they knew exactly who he was."
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said he was gathering facts before taking action, noting he had spoken with the Senate’s sergeant-at-arms and Padilla but had yet to hear from Noem.
"We need the full scope of what happened," Thune told reporters.