U.S. Democratic Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed by security personnel after attempting to ask questions at a news conference held by Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem in Los Angeles on the 12th (local time).

According to U.S. media outlets including CNN and Fox News, Senator Padilla entered the conference venue saying, "I am Senator Alex Padilla" and "I have a question for the Minister," pushing past security personnel who tried to stop him.

However, he was quickly pulled out of the conference room by security personnel. During this process, the senator was filmed being handcuffed while lying on the floor, and the footage spread widely.

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla is being detained in handcuffs by security while attempting to ask a question during a press conference held on December 12 in Los Angeles, California, with U.S. Homeland Security Minister Kristi Noem. /Courtesy of Yonhap News

Minister Noem was conducting a news conference regarding protests against the Trump administration's immigration crackdown occurring at that time in LA. He stated, "I will stay here until we free this city from socialists and heavy-handed leadership."

The Department of Homeland Security explained in a statement, "Senator Padilla engaged in rude political theater and disrupted a live news conference," adding, "He charged toward Minister Noem without wearing a Senate security pin."

They continued, "The Secret Service deemed him an aggressor and the agents acted appropriately."

Senator Padilla later met with reporters and rebutted, "If this administration reacts this way to a senator asking questions, imagine what they would do to farmworkers, cooks, and day laborers."

Minister Noem responded to Senator Padilla's public remarks by saying, "Completely ridiculous." He criticized, "This person burst into the meeting room disrupting the proceedings, raised his voice, and shouted questions," calling it "unbecoming behavior for a senator."

Democratic Senator Alex Padilla is being thrown out of the conference room after disrupting the U.S. Homeland Security Minister Kristi Noem's press conference at the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles on December 12. /Courtesy of Yonhap News

After the conference, the two had a private meeting for about 15 minutes at a separate location, and it is reported that they exchanged contact information.

California Governor Gavin Newsom stated, "Padilla is one of the most dignified people I know," and criticized the Trump administration, calling it "absurd, dictatorial, and shameful."

Padilla has served as an LA City Council member, a California State Senator, and Secretary of State. He entered the federal Senate in 2021 as California's first Hispanic senator.

The New York Times (NYT) interpreted the incident as a sign of rising political tension as law enforcement across the U.S. prepares for more protests, and California readies to engage in a legal battle with the Trump administration and federal courts.