Fact Check: Senator Alex Padilla of California was handcuffed by federal agents while trying to ask Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem a question at a press conference on October 2023.

June 15, 2025•by TruthOrFake AI

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VERDICT

True

# Fact Check: "Senator Alex Padilla of California was handcuffed by federal agents while trying to ask Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem a quest...

Fact Check: "Senator Alex Padilla of California was handcuffed by federal agents while trying to ask Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem a question at a press conference on October 2023."

What We Know

On October 12, 2023, during a press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles, Senator Alex Padilla attempted to ask a question regarding immigration enforcement actions. According to multiple sources, Padilla was forcibly removed from the event by federal agents and subsequently handcuffed (AP News, NPR). Video footage shows a Secret Service agent grabbing Padilla and pushing him out of the room as he shouted, "I’m Sen. Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary" (AP News).

Padilla later reported that he was not arrested but was indeed handcuffed after being forced to the ground (NPR). The incident sparked outrage among Democratic lawmakers, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer expressing his disgust at the treatment of a sitting senator (NPR).

Analysis

The claim that Senator Alex Padilla was handcuffed by federal agents while trying to ask a question at a press conference is supported by credible news sources. The Associated Press and NPR, both reputable news organizations, reported on the incident, detailing the sequence of events and Padilla's attempts to identify himself as a senator during the confrontation (AP News, NPR).

Critically, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a statement claiming that Padilla did not comply with requests to back away and characterized his actions as "disrespectful political theater" (NPR). However, video evidence contradicts this claim, showing Padilla identifying himself as he was being removed, which raises questions about the DHS's narrative (AP News).

The incident has been framed within a larger context of tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and the Trump administration's policies, which adds a layer of political significance to the event. Given the corroboration from multiple reliable sources and the availability of video evidence, the claim stands robust against scrutiny.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The assertion that Senator Alex Padilla was handcuffed by federal agents while attempting to ask Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem a question at a press conference is accurate. The incident was widely reported, supported by video evidence, and confirmed by multiple reputable news outlets. The context of the event further underscores its significance within ongoing political debates regarding immigration enforcement.

Sources

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Fact Check: Senator Alex Padilla of California was handcuffed by federal agents while trying to ask Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem a question at a press conference on October 2023.

Fact Check: "Senator Alex Padilla of California was handcuffed by federal agents while trying to ask Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem a question at a press conference on October 2023."

What We Know

Analysis

Conclusion

Sources

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