CNN analyst and political director David Chalian was stupefied by video of federal agents manhandling and handcuffing Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) after he tried to ask Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem a question during a news conference about the federal intervention of the Trump administration against anti-deportation protesters in California.
Homeland Security has defended their actions by claiming that Padilla behaved unprofessionally and failed to identify himself as a member of Congress. However, some observers note that he did just that.
"What is your reaction, seeing that moment?" asked anchor Brianna Keilar.
"Well, first of all, I have never seen a United States senator engaged in that kind of a moment," said Chalian. "And I think there's video from outside the room that I've seen on social media of him being sort of wrestled to the ground to get, to get handcuffed."
"Now, obviously, why is Padilla there at the — I mean, he's there to spark a moment and create tension. There's no doubt this is a, you know, political tactic that he was employing," Chalian continued. "But even that being the case, I mean, he is a sitting United States senator. And this is, you know, law enforcement protecting Noem's event, who just treats him as if, I mean, I don't know if they perceived him to be a real threat or not."
This incident, he added, is like "nothing I've seen, of a United States senator being treated quite that way."
Watch the video below or at the link here.