US Senator Alex Padilla Forcibly Removed and Handcuffed at DHS LA Event: Full Video Sparks Outrage

Los Angeles, June 12, 2025 — The North Headlines News Desk

In a stunning scene that has quickly gone viral, California Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed, pushed to the ground, and handcuffed during a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) press conference led by Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles.

Senator Alex Padilla being handcuffed and removed during Kristi Noem’s DHS press conference amid LA immigration protests.

The incident unfolded inside the FBI headquarters where Secretary Noem was addressing the media on the government’s response to recent immigration protests in Los Angeles. Padilla, California’s first Latino US Senator, was in the building for a separate briefing when he learned about the press conference and attempted to confront Noem with urgent questions.

“I was there peacefully. I tried to ask a question, but was immediately forced to the ground and handcuffed,” Padilla told reporters shortly after the incident.

The video, which has since flooded social media, shows Padilla identifying himself as a US Senator while officers forcibly lead him out of the room. Despite shouting, “I’m Sen. Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary,” law enforcement officers pushed him out and handcuffed him on the ground. You can watch the full footage released by Fox News.

While Padilla was not officially arrested or charged, the aggressive nature of the removal sparked immediate backlash from Democratic leaders, including Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, Adam Schiff, and Hakeem Jeffries. They condemned the incident, calling it an assault on freedom of speech and demanding full investigations.

“If this is how DHS treats a senator, imagine what happens to day laborers, farm workers, and cooks across California,” Padilla stated.

Secretary Noem defended the officers’ actions, claiming they mistakenly identified Padilla as a possible threat due to the unexpected nature of his approach. She later met privately with Padilla, describing their conversation as “productive.”

Meanwhile, Los Angeles remains tense, with widespread protests against President Donald Trump’s federal immigration raids intensifying across the city. Harvard BANNED?! Trump’s Move Shocks Global Students also stirred intense debate as immigration policies continue to impact international students.

The rare confrontation has ignited a heated debate in Washington. Senate Republicans Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski expressed concern, while House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized Padilla’s actions as “inappropriate.”

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla kneels while handcuffed as officers detain him during Kristi Noem’s DHS press conference amid LA immigration protests.

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus and civil rights advocates have demanded full accountability for the incident. Calls for Secretary Noem’s resignation are also gaining momentum.

This highly charged episode adds to the escalating political tension as immigration enforcement and civil liberties remain flashpoints in the 2025 election cycle.