Security Forcibly Removes Sen. Alex Padilla After He Yells During Noem Press Conference

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was conducting a press conference Thursday when Democratic California Sen. Alex Padilla interrupted her. Security then forcibly removed the lawmaker from the room.

Security at the conference, which covered the riots wreaking havoc in Los Angeles, can be heard telling the senator to put his hands up. The senator announced himself despite being told to stop and began to remark on the “half a dozen violent criminals that they’re rotating on your, on your.” Before he was able to finish his sentence, security escorted him out of the room.

After the senator was removed from the room, police handcuffed him, according to CNBC.

Tricia McLaughlin, the assistant secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, released a statement on X, saying that the senator was “told repeatedly to back away and did not comply with the officers’ repeated commands.” She also went on to say that Secret Service believed the senator to be a “attacker” and that the senator and Noem held a 15-minute meeting after the press conference.

The Department of Homeland Security said in a post on X that “Senator Padilla chose disrespectful political theatre” and that he “lunged toward Secretary Noem.”

Several elected officials on the left have tried to protest the Trump administration, some with outbursts. Democratic New Jersey Rep. LaMonica McIver was indicted on federal charges earlier in June following an incident at a New Jersey immigration center. (RELATED: LaMonica McIver Indicted For Alleged Assault On Immigration Officers)

In March, Democratic Texas Rep. Al Green was escorted off the House floor during President Donald Trump’s Joint Address to Congress. The representative interrupted Trump’s speech, calling for his impeachment. (RELATED: Democrat Lawmaker Gets Booted From Trump Speech Almost Instantly By Mike Johnson)

Tonight, I was briefed by city, county, and @LAPDHQ officials who are working to maintain peace and safety following Trump’s escalation and unprecedented action to deploy active duty military personnel to our city. pic.twitter.com/OYtiexcz9T

— Senator Alex Padilla (@SenAlexPadilla) June 12, 2025

Recently, the Los Angeles Police chief said the department was “overwhelmed,” as the anti-ICE rioters blocked freeways and set cars ablaze in downtown Los Angeles.