California Sen Alex Padila was forcibly removed from the press conference after entering the room and trying to speak with the Secretary of Homeland Security.
Islasa Chang, Host:
California’s Democratic Senator Alex Padila was forcibly removed from a press conference for Homeland’s Security Secretary Christie Nom. NOEM’s pressor was to show support for law enforcement here in Los Angeles, where there have been clashes with protesters. Here Padila shared her idea what happened.
(Soundbight of collected recording)
Alex Padila: I was there in peace. At one point, I had a question, and so I started asking a question. I was almost forcibly removed from the room. I was taken to the ground, and I was handcuffed.
Chang: All is well. Now joining us is NPR Congress correspondent Claudia Grischels. Hi, Claudia.
Claudia Grisels, Byline: Hey there.
Chang: Okay, then tell us what happened here, of course.
Grisales: Right, Beautiful Extraordinary Moments. As you mentioned, Homeland’s Security Secretary Christie Nom held this press conference in Los Angeles on protests when Democratic Senator Alex Padila from California, he entered the room and tried to talk with him. And within moments, he was forcibly removed by the authorities. Padila told reporters, as he heard there, he was not arrested or taken into custody, but he was taken to the ground and handcuffs before his release. After the incident, he also told reporters that if it is with an American senator in front of living cameras, what are you doing behind closed doors? Listen to one here.
(Soundbight of collected recording)
Padila: I am Senator Alex Padila. I have questions for the secretary because the fact of this case is half a dozen violent criminals whom you are rotating on you …
Unknown person #1: Out, bud.
Padilla: … on her …
Unknown person #2: I also want to talk …
Padilla: Close hands.
Chang: We are hearing this incident in front.
Grisales: Absolutely. And the struggle continued for several seconds after that. He has been pushed into the back of some doors in an office area more than 10 feet away. We could see with the scene of this video, which is constantly struggling with these three persons, to try and get it into custody. And this is clearly a dangerous moment of the growth of these stresses.
Chang: Okay, what is the Homeland Security Department, what has happened about it?
Grisales: He released a statement on his social media account on X. He accused Padila of derogatory political theater. He said that he did not comply with the requests to return. The statement also said that Senator and NoM spoke for 15 minutes after the incident. We should pay attention, before the press conference, the department stated that the event was to show support for DHS, law enforcement and American military personnel to work in protests in Los Angeles for NOEM.
Chang: Okay. Well, how are the law manufacturers generally or other officials right now?
Grisales: Right. They are fierce. And now, the Senate Democrats, for example, have taken to the sernet’s floor. More than a dozen have gathered there to speak against what happened. Which includes Senate Minority Leader Chak Shumar. He is demanding an immediate investigation of what he happened. And also, we are listening to California Gavner Gavin Newsome, who saw the incident and said that it is derogatory, dictatorship. But then, it is a dramatic reminder of how the stress on the immigration policies of administration is increasing, and the zero tolerance of the Trump administration for such moments.
Chang: This is NPR’s Claudia Grischels. Thank you very much, Claudia.
Grisales: Thanks.
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