Sen. Alex Padilla forcibly removed from DHS Secretary Noem’s news conference in LA

By Dalia Faheid

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (CNN) - Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla of California was confronted by security and forcibly removed from a news conference being held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem today in Los Angeles.

Padilla spoke out during Noem’s initial remarks to reporters and attempted to shout questions at the secretary. He appeared to be restrained by security guards and was pushed out of the room.

Noem’s remarks come amid days of protests against her agency and its immigration-enforcement actions. Noem is speaking from the Los Angeles headquarters of the FBI. The West LA federal building is one of the locations California National Guard members have been seen protecting.

Padilla has previously been critical of President Donald Trump’s actions in response to recent immigration protests in Southern California.

“If Donald Trump gets away with deploying the National Guard and Marines into LA without clear authority or justification, he won’t stop there,” Padilla said in a post on X Tuesday. “This isn’t just an attack on Los Angeles — it’s a test run for using the military against any American city he chooses.”

CNN has reached out to Padilla’s office for comment.

California Speaker of the Assmbly Robert Rivas released a statement on the matter:

“I’m outraged and disgusted by the violent treatment of Senator Alex Padilla — a dignified, compassionate public servant who was physically shoved and removed from a Homeland Security discussion while simply doing his job. As California’s first Latino U.S. Senator, he represents millions of us, including families like mine. This assault is not just disrespectful — it’s dangerous. The Trump administration must be held accountable, and the President must issue an immediate public apology.”