Fact Check: "Sen. Padilla was handcuffed by federal agents for dissenting."
What We Know
On June 12, 2025, during a news conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles, Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed and handcuffed by federal agents after he attempted to ask questions regarding immigration enforcement. Reports indicate that Padilla interrupted Noem, identifying himself as a senator and expressing his desire to ask questions. Video footage shows him struggling with multiple Secret Service agents before being subdued and handcuffed by FBI agents (New York Times, BBC).
Following the incident, Padilla described the use of force as excessive and stated that he complied with the agents' commands, highlighting his upbringing in a community where obedience to law enforcement was crucial. He emphasized that he was not a threat and questioned why he was being detained (NBC News).
The incident sparked significant backlash from both Democratic and some Republican lawmakers, who condemned the actions of federal agents as an affront to democracy. California Governor Gavin Newsom also criticized the event, suggesting that if a U.S. Senator could be handcuffed for asking questions, it raised concerns about the treatment of ordinary citizens (BBC).
Analysis
The claim that Senator Padilla was handcuffed by federal agents for dissenting is supported by multiple credible sources. The New York Times and BBC provide detailed accounts of the incident, confirming that Padilla was forcibly removed and handcuffed after attempting to ask questions during a press conference (New York Times, BBC).
Padilla's own statements following the incident further corroborate the claim, as he described the event as an overreaction by law enforcement and highlighted the implications of such actions for ordinary citizens (NBC News).
While the Trump administration and Secretary Noem characterized Padilla's actions as inappropriate and claimed he lunged at Noem, these assertions were disputed by Padilla and his supporters, who argued that he was merely trying to seek information and was not a threat (NBC News). The credibility of the sources reporting on this incident, including established news organizations, lends weight to the claim.
Conclusion
The verdict on the claim that "Sen. Padilla was handcuffed by federal agents for dissenting" is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that Padilla was indeed handcuffed and forcibly removed from a press conference after attempting to ask questions, an action that has been widely condemned by various political figures.
