Padilla responds to removal from DHS briefing: ‘I can only imagine what they’re doing’ to migrants

California Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla on Thursday responded emotionally to an incident at a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) press briefing where he clashed with law enforcement officers as he was removed from the briefing.

The senator was forcibly removed during a briefing with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in California regarding the ongoing riots in Southern California, where he accused the secretary of exaggerating.

Padilla told reporters at his own news conference following the incident that he was not arrested or charged with a crime, but confirmed reports that he was handcuffed. 

“At one point I had a question. And let me emphasize, just emphasize the right for people to peacefully protest and to stand up for their First Amendment rights, for our fundamental rights," he said. "I was there peacefully. At one point I had a question, and so I began to ask a question. “I was almost immediately forcibly removed from the room. I was forced to the ground and I was handcuffed.” 

The DHS has rejected knowing who the senator was at the time of the incident, but footage shows that he identified himself.

“I will say this: If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question, I can only imagine what they’re doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers out in the Los Angeles community and throughout California and throughout the country,” he said. “We will hold this administration accountable.”

The incident has prompted backlash from other Democrats, including former Vice President Kamala Harris, who claimed the Trump administration showed an abuse of power in its response to Padilla.

"United States Senator Alex Padilla was representing the millions of Californians who are demanding answers to this Administration's actions in Southern California," she posted to X. "This is a shameful and stunning abuse of power."

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.