'I was pushed and pulled,' Padilla recalls handcuffing in Senate speech

David Lightman, McClatchy Washington Bureau on Jun 17, 2025

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WASHINGTON — Sen. Alex Padilla methodically and dramatically described to U.S. Senate colleagues and the nation Tuesday how he came to be handcuffed and forcibly removed from a homeland security press conference.

Speaking as “the proud son of immigrants from Mexico,” the California Democrat explained how “When I heard something so blatantly un-American from the Secretary of Homeland Security — I was compelled, both as a senator and as an American, to speak up.”

Padilla was in the west Los Angeles federal building for a meeting with Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander of the U.S. North American Military command. He heard Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem was holding a press conference nearby.

He went over to the event, escorted by federal officials. “They opened the door for me. They accompanied me into the press briefing,” he said.

He heard Noem say the reason for National Guards and military deployed to Los Angeles were meant to “liberate” the city. “That is not a mission focused on public safety,” he said. “We’ve never had a tyrant as commander in chief.”

At one point, standing on the side, Padilla said he’d like to ask a question and identified himself.

“But before I could even get out my question, I was physically and aggressively forced out of the room — even as I repeatedly announced I was a United States senator, and I had a question for the secretary,” Padilla told the Senate.

.“And even as the National Guardsman and FBI agent who served as my escort who brought me into the press conference stood by, silently, knowing full well who I was,” he said. “You’ve seen the video.”

‘Struggling to maintain my balance’

Then Padilla described, in a soft-spoken staccato, his thoughts and actions next.

“I was pushed and pulled, struggling to maintain my balance.

He paused and his voice began to crack. “I was forced to the ground — first on my knees and then flat on my chest,” Padilla said..

“As I was handcuffed and marched down a hallway, I repeatedly asked why am I being detained. Not once did they tell me why,” he said.

He recalled how “in that moment, a lot of questions came to my mind. First of all, where are they taking me?

“What will a city already on edge from being militarized think when they see their senator has been handcuffed just for trying to ask a question?”

“What will my wife and our boys think?

“I also remember asking myself: if this aggressive escalation is the result of someone speaking up against the abuses and overreach of the Trump administration, was it really worth it?”

Trump administration’s explanation

Homeland Security and FBI officials have defended their actions.

“Senator Padilla chose disrespectful political theater and interrupted a live press conference without identifying himself or having his Senate security pin on as he lunged toward Secretary Noem. Mr. Padilla was told repeatedly to back away and did not comply with officers’ repeated commands.,” said Homeland Security on X.

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino tweeted that Padilla “was not wearing a security pin and physically resisted law enforcement when confronted. Our FBI personnel acted completely appropriately while assisting Secret Service and we are grateful for their professionalism and service.”

Padilla also used the speech to describe his anger toward the Trump administration policies toward immigration and the Los Angeles protest.

“How many Americans in the year 2025 see a vindictive president on a tour of retribution, unrestrained by the majority of this separate but co-equal branch of government in this building, and wonder if it’s worth it to stand up or to speak out?” he asked. “If a United States senator is too afraid to speak up, how can we expect any other American to do the same?”

He had a warning for people who disagree with the Trump administration.

“The President will tell you this is about undocumented immigrants, about law and order and about targeting dangerous, violent criminals. …but we know differently,” he said.

Padilla spent much of his speech criticizing Donald Trump. “He wants the spectacle — not just to distract, but to justify his undemocratic crackdowns and his authoritarian power grabs,” the senator said.

Trump deployed National Guard troops earlier this month without the consent of Gov. Gavin Newsom, a highly unusual decision.

“If Donald Trump can bypass the governor and activate the National Guard to put down protests for immigrant rights, he can do it to suppress your rights, too,” the senator said.

Trump, Noem and other administration officials maintain they’ve prevented protesters in the Los Angeles area from engaging in further violence.

Padilla and local officials disagreed, saying the protests were largely peaceful and confined to a small area. Don’t be intimidated, he said.

“If this administration is this scared of just one Senator with a question, imagine what the voices of tens of millions of Americans in the streets can do,” Padilla said..

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