Senator Alex Padilla Forcibly Removed From Kristi Noem’s LA Press Conference: What Really Happened?

Senator Alex Padilla speaks to a diverse crowd protesting immigration operations.

Los Angeles, June 12, 2025 — Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) was forcibly removed from a press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at the Wilshire Federal Building. The incident occurred as Padilla attempted to ask questions about federal immigration enforcement actions in Los Angeles under the Trump administration. ⁴

Video footage showed Padilla identifying himself and shouting, “I am Senator Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary,” moments before he was pushed to the ground and handcuffed by authorities. Afterward, he was released without being arrested. ¹ Eyewitnesses noted that Padilla was calm and tried to engage in dialogue throughout the event.

Key Takeaways

On June 12, 2025, Senator Alex Padilla was handcuffed and removed from a press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles.
The press conference focused on increased federal immigration enforcement in LA under the Trump administration. Noem announced operations with “tens of thousands of targets,” which led to protests and curfews across the city.
Video showed Padilla calmly asking questions before being taken down by security; he was released without arrest. California leaders like Governor Gavin Newsom and Senator Chuck Schumer called his treatment “outrageous” and compared it to authoritarianism.
About 2,100 National Guard troops and 700 Marines were deployed to manage protests after raids targeted areas like Oxnard farms and downtown LA; most detained immigrants had no criminal records. LAPD arrests dropped to 81 due to an imposed curfew by Mayor Karen Bass.
California sued the Trump administration for using state troops in immigration enforcement, saying it broke the 10th Amendment and Posse Comitatus Act. A court hearing is set for June 13, as protests spread nationwide with support from politicians such as Kamala Harris and Lisa Murkowski (sources: The Hill, Los Angeles Times).

The press conference focused on Noem’s announcement of increased immigration operations in Los Angeles. She stated that there would be “tens of thousands of targets” for enforcement. This announcement came amid heightened tensions in the city, following recent immigration raids that triggered protests in various neighborhoods like the Garment District, Paramount, and Downey. On June 11, federal agents detained several immigrants in Oxnard, most of whom had no criminal records.

The unrest led to significant police action in Los Angeles. The LAPD reported a drop in arrests from 225 to 81 after the mayor imposed an 8 p.m. curfew. On one night, police arrested 71 people for not dispersing, two for assaulting officers, and one for resisting arrest.

Local businesses faced labor shortages as immigrant workers avoided work out of fear of deportation. One owner, from Papa John Car Wash, expressed concern over the impact on their business due to the ongoing immigration raids.

In a strong response, California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned Padilla’s removal as “outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful.” Senator Chuck Schumer called the situation “reeking of totalitarianism” and expressed his disapproval of how Padilla was treated. Senator Angela Alsobrooks also shared her worries about the implications for ordinary citizens caught in federal enforcement actions. ²

Noem defended herself by labeling Padilla’s actions as “disrespectful political theater.” She argued that the federal government must enforce immigration laws. Meanwhile, California filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on June 8, challenging the deployment of military troops for immigration enforcement and claiming it violated constitutional rights. ⁵

As public unrest continued, protests were planned across the country on June 13, involving cities like Chicago and New York City. The Justice Department prepared for possible charges linked to these protests. Many groups voiced their criticism of federal actions targeting vulnerable communities and emphasized the need for better treatment of immigrants.

Local residents voiced their fears as well. Alex Cruz and Francisco, an undocumented taquero, shared their concerns about being portrayed as criminals. Francisco explained his reliance on delivery services due to fear of being caught in raids.

This incident has drawn parallels to civil rights-era tensions and past dissent against federal policies. Critics argue that such heavy-handed tactics could backfire and increase public opposition to federal immigration strategies. ³

The incident remained a focal point in media coverage, attracting attention from outlets like The Hill and the Los Angeles Times. Notable contributors included Andrea Castillo, Laura J. Nelson, Marie Sanford, and Richard Winton, who reported on these unfolding events.

As the situation develops, many political figures will watch how public sentiment shifts in response to federal immigration policies and local law enforcement measures. The upcoming federal court hearing on California’s lawsuit will further shape the discourse around this controversial issue.

FAQs

1. Why was Senator Alex Padilla removed from Kristi Noem’s Los Angeles press conference?

Senator Padilla was forcibly removed after he spoke out against the ICE raids and National Guard action in California during Secretary Noem’s event. His comments disrupted the press conference, leading to intervention by federal agents.

2. Was Senator Padilla arrested or detained at the LA immigration protest?

Yes, news reports confirm that Senator Padilla was detained and briefly held by authorities at the June 2025 protest. Video of Alex Padilla being handcuffed at the DHS event spread quickly on social media.

3. Did Kristi Noem order Senator Alex Padilla’s removal?

There is no direct evidence that Secretary Noem ordered Senator Padilla arrested or detained herself; however, her team coordinated with Homeland Security officials present at the press conference where tensions rose between California senators and federal agents.

4. What did Alex Padilla say before being taken away by officers?

Before his removal, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla called for congressional oversight of recent ICE raids in Los Angeles and criticized military actions in protests across North America; these remarks led to a clash with security staff during Kristi Noem’s public appearance.