Officials from both parties have widely condemned the forcible removal of Democratic U.S. Senator Alex Padilla of California from a Department of Homeland Security press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem was speaking at a news conference at the Federal Building in Los Angeles about ongoing protests against the Trump administration's immigration enforcement policy when the altercation broke out.
According to the video, Padilla enters the conference room, introduces himself as a U.S. Senator, and is then immediately met by federal officers. In the footage, he can be heard shouting, "I am Senator Alex Padilla," just before several officers grab him.
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Arizona Attorney General Kris MayesKris Mayes was among the most vocal critics, posting on X,
"Tackling and detaining a US Senator is an outrageous and violent abuse of power. It is unacceptable in the United States of America. This administration's unlawful and unconstitutional behavior is out of control," stated Mayes.
Three armed agents, two of whom were wearing FBI uniforms, forced Padilla to the ground and shackled him behind his back, rapidly intensifying the situation. One of Padilla's crew members recorded the entire altercation.
"I was there peacefully," Padilla said in his first public remarks after the incident. "At one point, I had a question and so I began to ask a question. I was almost immediately forcefully removed from the room. I was forced to the ground, and I was handcuffed. I was not arrested. I was not detained."
Democratic leaders have been strongly critical of the incident, with many describing the treatment of a sitting U.S. Senator as unprecedented and intolerable.
Mayes has dedicated her professional life to upholding civil freedoms and democratic institutions as a longtime supporter of constitutional governance and the rule of law. Even while handling high-profile cases, she has continuously underlined the need of accountability and following the law as Arizona's chief law enforcement official. Her resolute reaction to the Padilla incident demonstrates her strong commitment to guaranteeing that elected officials' constitutional rights are respected and that all officials, regardless of political affiliation, are treated with dignity.
Mayes' strong opposition is especially significant for Arizona, a state that has been in the forefront of federal-state conflicts and discussions about immigration enforcement. Her criticism as the state's top law enforcement official raises the possibility of political and legal repercussions that might go well beyond California's borders.
According to Mayes' statement, her organization might be ready to contest what she sees as federal overreach, as Arizona has always been a hot spot for immigration policy disputes. Her description of the administration's actions as "unlawful and unconstitutional" may suggest that Arizona's Attorney General's office will take legal action, especially if similar occurrences take place inside the state's boundaries.
Mayes' actions send a strong message to Arizonans that the state's top prosecutor will not stand for what she perceives to be constitutional rights breaches, even when those crimes include federal officials. This makes Arizona a possible site of a court case concerning the boundaries of federal enforcement authority and the defense of the rights of elected officials.
In Arizona, where conflicts between state and federal authorities over immigration matters have long been a defining aspect of the political landscape, the Attorney General's response also reflects the state's larger political dynamics. Mayes' readiness to take on federal policies head-on raises the possibility that Arizona may play a significant role in judicial challenges to the administration's enforcement strategies.
Concern over the incident was even voiced by a few Republican lawmakers. Senator Lisa Murkowski described it as "horrible," expressing disapproval from both parties over the way the matter was handled.
