Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) led the outrage over Sen. Alex Padilla's (D-CA) treatment at the hands of federal agents during a news conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday.
A Padilla spokesperson recounted that Padilla "was exercising his duty to perform Congressional oversight of the federal government's operations in Los Angeles and across California. 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."
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer posted to X, "Watching this video sickened my stomach, the manhandling of a United States Senator, Senator Padilla. We need immediate answers to what the hell went on."
On the Senate floor, Schumer said the action by federal agents was "Disgusting. Anyone who looks at this, it will turn their stomach. To look at this video and see what happened reeks of totalitarianism. This is not what democracies do." Schumer then called for a full investigation into the incident.
Rep. Norma Torres (D-CA) posted, "Let’s call it what it is: a disgraceful abuse of power. Senator Alex Padilla was dragged and handcuffed out for daring to question Secretary Noem. This wasn’t a threat—it was dissent. They’re not keeping us safe—they’re silencing us."
Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) wrote, "THROWN TO THE GROUND AND ARRESTED: CA @SenAlexPadilla was forcibly removed from a DHS press conference—an elected U.S. Senator who represents the PEOPLE OF CALIFORNIA. This isn’t just shocking, it’s a threat to the rule of law and democratic accountability. Sen. Padilla is conducting oversight over the lawlessness of the Trump and the violations of the #RuleOfLaw. If this can happen to immigrant communities, it can happen to anyone."
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) posted, "This is a United States Senator being violently removed from a public briefing. Many of are reaching out to Senator Padilla right now and there are facts we need to gather, but this is a very, very serious moment."
Watch the clip below or at this link.