Local leaders and educators are speaking out after U.S. Senator Alex Padilla was removed and handcuffed by federal agents during a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) press conference in Los Angeles last Thursday.
Padilla, a Democrat and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, was in Los Angeles for a scheduled briefing with military officials. According to his office, he attempted to ask a question during DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s press event when he was forced to the ground and handcuffed by federal agents.
During the press conference, Secretary Noem stated that federal authorities plan to increase immigration enforcement to “liberate” the city from what she described as “socialist” leadership. In response, Padilla stood and identified himself, saying, “I’m Sen. Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary.”
Video footage shows a Secret Service agent grabbing Padilla by his jacket and removing him from the room. Outside, officers scuffled with the senator, who shouted, “Hands off!” before being pushed to the ground and handcuffed in the hallway.
In a joint statement, the Kern County Democratic Party, along with groups including the Tehachapi Mountain Democratic Club, Kern County Young Democrat Leaders, and Democratic Women of Kern, condemned the treatment of Padilla, who is the first Latino to represent California in the U.S. Senate.
According to the statement, Padilla was “thrown to the ground and handcuffed” by federal agents after attempting to ask a question during an event hosted by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. The statement called the incident “a blatant affront to democratic norms,” and said it violated the senator’s constitutional rights.
“This shocking and unacceptable act… is a clear sign that authoritarianism is no longer on the horizon, it is here,” the statement said.
The statement also pointed out Padilla’s ongoing support for Central Valley communities, including immigrant families, working-class residents, and environmental justice advocates.
“We call on the federal government to demand for a full and thorough investigation into the events that led to this disgraceful arrest. The Kern County Democrats stand in solidarity with Senator Padilla and against any abuse of power that seeks to intimidate or silence elected leaders,” the statement said.
Randy Villegas, a candidate for California’s 22nd Congressional District, called the incident deeply disturbing.
“I am appalled by the violent actions taken against Senator Alex Padilla,” Villegas said. “The Trump Administration and DHS operate with force to intimidate our communities, and now our elected leaders, into silence. We cannot allow Republican leaders like Trump and Valadao to terrorize the people they are supposed to represent.”
Dr. Oliver Rosales, a history professor at Bakersfield College, said he was shocked by the footage circulating online.
“Yes, I saw multiple videos posted on social media and various news outlets,” Rosales said. “The federal agents needlessly treated a standing U.S. Senator with what appeared to be physical contempt, ignorance of who he was, and general disregard for his physical well-being.”
Rosales described Padilla’s actions as courageous and likened them to the legacy of César Chávez and the farm worker movement, for which Padilla has been an advocate.
“While our public history is under attack, Senator Padilla is both leading the way to preserve this important history, while at the same time realizing the spirit of César Chávez in his use of nonviolent civil disobedience in the face of the state violence being enacted upon California’s immigrant communities,” Rosales said.
