Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem is giving her side of things after she said Senator Alex Padilla lunged towards the podium while she was speaking. The California Democrat was forcibly removed from Noem’s press event in Los Angeles today while shouting questions, then taken to the ground and handcuffed before he was released. Noem said Padilla was creating “political theater” and she said she had a cordial 15 minute conversation with him after the incident. Padilla would later tell reporters he went to the event because he’s not been getting answers from Noem about the ongoing immigration operations in LA.

DHS Secretary Speaks After Senator Padilla Crashes News Conference
Jun 12, 2025 | 4:05 PM