Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) slammed the removal of Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) from a press conference with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday, arguing the Trump administration is “out of control.”
Padilla was forcibly removed and the incident, caught on video by reporters on the scene, showing multiple men restraining the senator and working to remove him from the room. He was later forced to the ground and handcuffed.
“.@SenAlexPadilla is one of the most decent people I know. This is outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful. Trump and his shock troops are out of control. This must end now,” Newsom said on X, sharing a video of Padilla being removed.
The governor later posted on X, “If they can handcuff a U.S. Senator for asking a question, imagine what they will do to you” with an image of Padilla on the ground surrounded by FBI agents.
Noem said she planned to speak with the senator once the press conference began, adding, “I think everybody in America would agree that that wasn’t appropriate, that if you wanted to have a civil discussion, especially as a leader, a public official, that you would reach out and try to have a conversation.”
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson later said on X that Noem and Padilla met for 15 minutes, calling what the senator did “disrespectful political theatre” and claiming the Secret Service “thought he was an attacker.”
“I’m senator Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary,” Padilla said in the video.
President Trump and border czar Tom Homan had warned that state and local officials could be arrested if they violate the law amid the administration’s escalating clash with Newsom and other California Democrats.
On Monday, Trump said he would support arresting Newsom after the governor dared the Homan to do so over the protests in Los Angeles about immigration.
“I would do it if I were Tom,” Trump said, referring to Homan.
“I think it’s great. Gavin likes the publicity, but I think it would be a great thing,” Trump said. “Look, I like Gavin Newsom. He’s a nice guy. But he’s grossly incompetent.”
Homan on Monday night said talk about Newsom’s arrest has been “blown out of proportion.”
“There is no threat to arrest Gov. Newsom, but the statement was made just like anybody else. If he crosses that line of impeding ICE enforcement efforts, if he knowingly harbors and conceals an alien, that’s a crime,” Homan said on NewsNation’s “Cuomo.”