Senator Alex Padilla found himself in handcuffs after a tense standoff with law enforcement during a live press briefing by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem — and the jaw-dropping moment was caught on camera.
In a video that quickly went viral, the California Democrat interrupted Noem’s remarks about the ongoing Los Angeles riots, yelling that he had questions about “a half a dozen violent criminals.” Within seconds, multiple security officials began forcibly removing him from the room.
Senator Pushed, Then Tackled by Officers
Padilla is seen resisting attempts by officers to escort him out, prompting a swift takedown. Law enforcement sources say he was turned over to two FBI agents working in coordination with the Secret Service, who were protecting Noem at the event.
As he reportedly refused to comply with orders to put his hands behind his back, agents took him nearly face-down to the ground before finally handcuffing him.
DHS Blasts Padilla’s “Political Theatre”
The Department of Homeland Security didn’t hold back afterward, releasing a statement slamming the senator’s actions as “disrespectful political theatre” and stating that he failed to identify himself or follow commands, making law enforcement’s response necessary.
Padilla’s Team Responds
In a contrasting statement, Padilla’s office said the senator was attending a scheduled briefing with U.S. Air Force General Guillot inside the federal building and was simply trying to ask Secretary Noem a question when he was aggressively removed, cuffed, and briefly detained.
“He is not currently detained, and we are working to get additional information,” the statement concluded.
Brief Meeting After the Dust Settled
Despite the chaos, Noem reportedly met with Padilla privately for 15 minutes following the incident. While the details of their conversation remain under wraps, the dramatic clash has already sparked political firestorms across social media.
📹 Watch the moment unfold and decide for yourself — protest or power play?
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