1 year ago
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Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) was forcibly removed by what appeared to be law enforcement officials on Thursday when he interrupted a Los Angeles press conference by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who was discussing the Trump administration’s response to the ongoing demonstration in the sity over President Donald Trump’s immigration raids and mass deportation efforts.
“We are not going away,” Noem declared. “We are staying here to liberate the city from the socialists and the burdensome leadership that this governor and that this mayor have placed on this country and what they have tried to insert into the city.”
At that point, Padilla — who had barged into the conference room — tried to address the Homeland Security chief before he was accosted by FBI agents, who have said since the incident that they detained the senator after rushing him away from the scene.
“I’m Senator Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary. Because the fact of the matter is, a half dozen... Hands off!” the lawmaker was heard shouting as he was swarmed by law enforcement.
“This is unacceptable, full stop,” the Congressional Hispanic Caucus said in a statement. “@SenAlexPadilla attended an open press conference to engage in debate, to represent his state, to do his job. We demand a full investigation and consequences for every official involved in this assault against a sitting US senator.”
In a brief, furious statement on the Senate floor, Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said footage of the incident “sickened my stomach.”
“We need immediate answers to what the hell went on,” he said.
