Sen. Alex Padilla has refuted the White House’s narrative regarding his forcible removal from a press conference led by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles. The White House and Noem accused Padilla of failing to identify himself, shouting, and lunging at Noem before he was handcuffed by federal agents. In his first interview following the incident on MSNBC, Padilla dismissed these claims as “ridiculous” and “a lie,” asserting that his polo shirt clearly identified him as a U.S. senator. He stated, “There was no threat. There was no lunging. I raised my voice to ask a question,” and noted that it took mere seconds for agents to act.
Padilla interrupted Noem during her press conference, which addressed controversial immigration raids in the city. He claimed that her statements were increasingly inaccurate and part of a partisan agenda, prompting his interjection. His removal was characterized as excessive, leading to backlash from fellow Democrats.
The incident underscores rising tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and the politicization of the issue, particularly as protests against such measures continue to escalate in California. NBC News has sought comments from the White House regarding Padilla’s assertions, revealing the ongoing conflict between the senator and the administration.
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