[Source/Observer Network, Wang Yi] According to reports by CNN, NBC, and other media outlets, on June 12th local time, California Democratic Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly dragged out of the press conference after attempting to ask a question to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, then forced face down on the ground and handcuffed before being taken away.

This incident has drawn strong condemnation from Democrats. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that this scene made him feel "nauseous" and described it as "despicable, disgusting," and "smelling of totalitarianism."

Video footage shows that before the incident occurred, Noem was talking about immigration enforcement actions under the Trump administration in California and her reason for appearing in Los Angeles during the press conference, which was "to continue and increase our operations in this city." She referred to deploying large numbers of National Guard soldiers and Marines to handle the Los Angeles protests triggered by the issue of illegal immigration this week.

As Noem spoke, Padilla suddenly entered the press conference venue, walking forward while shouting, "I am Senator Alex Padilla, I have a question for the secretary because the fact is..." However, Noem ignored Padilla's question and continued speaking. Meanwhile, several law enforcement officers surrounded Padilla, dragging him out of the press conference as he asked his question.

Outside the room, three law enforcement officers first ordered Padilla to kneel, then forced him face down on the ground and handcuffed him.

On June 12th local time, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla from California was taken away after attempting to ask a question to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. Office of Senator Alex Padilla

Later that day, Padilla told reporters that he was listening to a military briefing when he learned about Noem's press conference, and decided to come and ask her questions in an attempt to obtain answers from the Department of Homeland Security regarding their increasingly extreme immigration actions. Padilla emphasized that this was part of his "oversight and accountability responsibilities as a senator."

Padilla also said, "If this administration is answering questions from senators like this, if the Department of Homeland Security is answering questions from senators like this, you can imagine what they are doing to farm workers, chefs, and temporary workers in Los Angeles, throughout all of California, and across the country."

Noem explained that the law enforcement officers acted this way because Padilla approached her without identifying himself. Noem told Fox News that Padilla's behavior was "disrespectful political theater," adding, "We were holding a press conference to brief everyone on ongoing law enforcement actions and bring peace. This man suddenly rushed into the room, started rushing toward the podium, interrupted me, and raised his voice, then he was stopped. He did not identify himself, (so) he was taken out of the room."

However, according to the on-site video, Padilla identified himself as a senator at the beginning of his question. It was reported that Padilla is the son of Mexican immigrants, graduated from MIT, and was elected to the California State Senate in 2006. In 2015 and 2018, Padilla was elected twice as California Secretary of State. After Harris was promoted to Vice President in 2020, Padilla succeeded her position, becoming the first Latino American senator representing California.

Noem said that she later sat down with Padilla for a conversation, and although they may disagree on 90% of topics, "we agreed and exchanged phone numbers, we will continue to talk and share information, and this is how it should be in this country."

Democrats expressed dissatisfaction with how Padilla was treated.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said that the image of Padilla being taken away was "nauseating." Video screenshot

"I just saw something that made my stomach uncomfortable—a rough treatment of a United States senator," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. "We need to know immediately what happened."

Gavin Newsom, Governor of California, called Padilla "one of the most decent people I know," describing this as "outrageous, authoritarian, and disgraceful," adding, "Trump and his strike force have gone out of control, and this must end now."

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also posted on social media platform X, stating, "What just happened is absolutely detestable and outrageous."

Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader, told reporters, "(Padilla) was doing his job at that press conference, asking questions about what is happening in California, representing the people of California and the United States, yet he was recklessly and aggressively treated roughly. This is unacceptable. This is unreasonable. This is unpatriotic. This is un-American, and everyone involved in the rough treatment of Senator Padilla should be held accountable within the limits allowed by the law."

Jeffries stated that Democrats will "actively counterattack in every possible way" to hold the Trump administration accountable.

According to insiders who spoke to The New York Times, members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus later stormed into the office of House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, to protest, and Democratic representatives from California also rushed to the steps of the House to denounce this event.

Most Republicans criticized Padilla's behavior. Johnson warned Padilla, stating that his behavior was "highly inappropriate," adding, "You cannot accuse the current cabinet secretary," and "I believe the entire institution needs to send a message that this is not what we should do."

CNN pointed out that this incident occurred when protests against the Trump administration's immigration actions in Los Angeles were escalating. Although Padilla was ultimately not arrested, some public officials had been arrested previously for "obstructing immigration enforcement."

Last month, Ras Baraka, Mayor of Newark, New Jersey, was suspected of attempting to forcefully enter an immigration detention center in the state during a protest against the Trump administration's immigration policies, and was temporarily arrested by law enforcement officers. Although the charges were eventually dropped, he has filed a lawsuit against the relevant staff. However, earlier this week, Democratic Representative LaMonica McIver from the state was charged for participating in this incident, "forcibly obstructing and interfering with federal law enforcement officers."

Tom Homan, the White House border official known as the "border czar," threatened on July 7th to arrest anyone obstructing immigration enforcement work, including Governor Newsom of California and Mayor Bass of Los Angeles. In response, Trump supported arresting Newsom on July 9th, saying, "I think this is great."

Newsom responded on the same day, stating, "The President of the United States has just publicly discussed the possibility of arresting an incumbent governor. I hope America will never see such a day. Regardless of whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, this is a line that our country cannot cross."

This article is an exclusive piece by Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7515271922029904399/

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