Fact Check: "Padilla was forcibly removed and handcuffed for questioning Homeland Security Secretary."
What We Know
On June 12, 2025, Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from a press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles. According to a statement from Padilla's office, he was performing his duties of Congressional oversight when he attempted to ask Noem a question. The statement details that he was "forcibly removed by federal agents, forced to the ground and handcuffed" during this incident, although he was not detained afterward (Padilla's Office).
Multiple news outlets corroborated this account. NPR reported that Padilla was removed after he entered the room and tried to speak with Noem, stating that he was "almost immediately forcibly removed from the room" and handcuffed (NPR). The New York Times also confirmed that Padilla was "forced to the floor, handcuffed and removed" after he interrupted the press conference (New York Times).
Analysis
The incident has been widely reported across various reputable sources, including NPR, The New York Times, and the Associated Press. These outlets provide consistent details about the event, including Padilla's attempts to question Noem and the subsequent actions taken by federal agents. The reports indicate that Padilla was not arrested but was indeed handcuffed, which aligns with the claims made in the original statement from his office.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responded to the incident by accusing Padilla of engaging in "disrespectful political theater" and claimed he did not comply with requests to back away (NPR). However, this response does not contradict the core facts of the incident as reported by multiple sources. The credibility of the sources reporting this incident is high, as they are established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting.
Conclusion
The claim that "Padilla was forcibly removed and handcuffed for questioning Homeland Security Secretary" is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that Senator Padilla was indeed forcibly removed and handcuffed during the incident while attempting to perform his oversight duties.
Sources
- Statement on Sen. Padilla's Forcible Removal from DHS Press Conference
- Sen. Padilla was removed from DHS presser and briefly handcuffed
- Senator Alex Padilla Forcibly Removed and Handcuffed After Interrupting
- Sen. Alex Padilla forcibly removed from Kristi Noem's press conference
- Sen. Alex Padilla forcibly removed from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem's press conference
