Fact Check: Senator Padilla removed from press event for shouting at Noem.

Fact Check: "Senator Padilla removed from press event for shouting at Noem."

What We Know

On June 12, 2025, Democratic U.S. Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from a press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles. The event was focused on immigration raids that had sparked protests across California. During the press conference, Padilla attempted to ask Noem questions regarding the federal government's actions, which he characterized as increasingly aggressive towards immigrant communities. Video footage shows Padilla being physically removed by security personnel, who handcuffed him as he protested his treatment, stating, "Hands off!" and questioning why he was being detained (AP News, NPR).

Padilla later recounted the incident on the Senate floor, describing how he was pushed to the ground and handcuffed without being informed of the reasons for his removal. He emphasized that this incident highlighted what he termed an "undemocratic crackdown" by the Trump administration on dissent (NPR, New York Times).

Analysis

The incident has been widely reported across multiple reputable news outlets, including the Associated Press, NPR, and The New York Times, which corroborate the details of Padilla's removal and the context surrounding it. The reports indicate that Padilla interrupted Noem after she made a controversial statement about federal operations in Los Angeles, which he felt warranted a response. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) characterized Padilla's actions as "disrespectful political theater" and claimed he did not comply with security requests to back away (AP News, NBC News).

Critically, while the DHS's claims about Padilla's non-compliance were reported, video evidence and Padilla's own account suggest that he did identify himself as a senator and was attempting to engage in a legitimate inquiry. The incident has drawn significant backlash from Democratic lawmakers, who have framed it as an example of escalating tensions and threats to democratic norms under the Trump administration (ABC News, The Hill).

The credibility of the sources reporting this event is high, as they include established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. However, it is important to note that the framing of the incident varies, with some sources emphasizing the aggressive nature of Padilla's removal while others focus on the DHS's perspective of the event.

Conclusion

The claim that Senator Alex Padilla was removed from a press event for shouting at Secretary Noem is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that Padilla was forcibly removed and handcuffed after attempting to question Noem during her press conference. The incident has raised concerns among his colleagues and the public regarding the treatment of elected officials and the implications for democratic discourse.

Fact Check: Senator Padilla removed from press event for shouting at Noem.