Conservatives erupt after Dem senator's 'temper tantrum' sends DHS presser off the rails
Conservatives on social media lambasted Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., for interrupting a Department of Homeland Security press conference in Los Angeles Thursday despite the Senate being in session.
Padilla was kicked out of the event, and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said she does not know him personally.
"This is embarrassing [Padilla] spare me the fake outrage. Where were you when LEOS were being pelted with bricks? Hiding along with puppet [Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna]? #FactsMatter," former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva posted on X.
Rep. Nadler Condemns Trump Admin After Staff Member Handcuffed During Congressional Office Security Sweep
"Whoa!! A sitting US Senator, Alex Padilla, was just shoved and forcibly removed from a press conference with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. Reports are he's been arrested. No one is above the law. It's about time these Democrats stopped acting like they are," Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk tweeted.
"Sen. Padilla missed Senate votes all week, only to throw a temper tantrum, rush the stage where DHS Secretary Noem was speaking, and get forcibly removed by security. Good on security to quickly address the threat," conservative communications operative Steve Guest posted on X.
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The political tensions between California leaders and the Trump administration mounted with Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the city, which have prompted protests and riots in the area.
President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to guard ICE officers despite Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass adamantly opposed to it. Newsom said the move was "unprecedented and threatens the very core of our democracy."
"Donald Trump is behaving like a tyrant, not a President. We ask the court to immediately block these unlawful actions," he added.
Noem Dismisses Jeffries' Warnings As Dhs Considers Arrests Of Democratic Lawmakers After Ice Facility Clash
"Senator Padilla is currently in Los Angeles exercising his duty to perform congressional oversight of the federal government's operations in Los Angeles and across California," his office said in a statement.
"He was in the federal building to receive a briefing with General Guillot and was listening to Secretary Noem's press conference. He tried to ask the secretary a question and was forcibly removed by federal agents, forced to the ground and handcuffed. He is not currently detained, and we are working to get additional information."
Dhs Chief Noem Accuses Lawmakers Of 'Committing Felonies' At Newark Ice Facility: 'They Should Be Censured'
After the incident, Padilla's office said he is not in police custody. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin confirmed Noem and Padilla had a meeting after the scuffle. The secretary confirmed to Fox News that the meeting went well, and the two exchanged phone numbers.
"During a press conference today held at the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office, Senator Alex Padilla was detained by members of the U.S. Secret Service assigned to Secretary Noem's detail when he became disruptive while formal remarks were being delivered," the FBI said Thursday.
"Secret Service agents were assisted by FBI Police who are in Los Angeles at this time. Senator Padilla was not wearing his Senate security pin; however, (he) was subsequently positively identified and released."Original article source: Conservatives erupt after Dem senator's 'temper tantrum' sends DHS presser off the rails
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San Francisco Chronicle
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- San Francisco Chronicle
Vance blames California Dems for violent immigration protests and calls Sen. Alex Padilla 'Jose'
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How Trump has targeted Harvard's international students — and what the latest court ruling means
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CBS News
an hour ago
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Los Angeles Dodgers to donate $1 million to help immigrant families impacted by ICE operations
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Friday a $1 million donation to help immigrant families impacted by the recent immigration enforcement operations in Southern California. The team said in a statement that it has "committed $1 million toward direct financial assistance for families of immigrants impacted by recent events in the region." The Dodgers said they plan to announce more support for organizations helping immigrant communities, including the California Community Foundation and the L.A. County Federation of Labor. "What's happening in Los Angeles has reverberated among thousands upon thousands of people, and we have heard the calls for us to take a leading role on behalf of those affected," Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten said. "We believed that by committing resources and taking action, we will continue to support and uplift the communities of Greater Los Angeles." Fans protested at Dodger Stadium after the team said Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents tried to enter the stadium's parking lot Thursday morning. "ICE agents came to Dodger Stadium and requested permission to access the parking lots. They were denied entry to the grounds by the organization," the team posted on X. ICE responded on social media to the team's allegation, writing "False. We were never there." A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said in a separate statement that Customs and Border Patrol vehicles "were in the stadium parking lot very briefly, unrelated to any operation or enforcement." Earlier this month, a series of immigration operations sparked protests throughout Southern California, most notably in downtown L.A. President Trump directed federal immigration authorities to prioritize deporting individuals from Democratic-run cities, following the demonstrations. He also federalized and deployed 4,100 California National Guard soldiers and 700 U.S. Marines to protect federal property and personnel.
