Challenging Noem's extreme right-wing ideology was justifiable by Padilla
BYTES AND BREWS - SACRAMENTO SCAFFOLD
California Senator Alex Padilla had heard enough from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. And Noem's dismissive attitude towards Californian voters was no help.
So, Padilla, a Democrat, decided to ask a question - only to be ** muscled out of the room by federal bodyguards, drunkenly tossed to the ground, and cuffed**.
Is this how the Trump administration envisions their "Making America Great Again" campaign?
This shocking act of disrespect and abuse took place at the Westwood federal building during a Noem press conference last Thursday. The altercation occurred as Noem announced the ongoing immigration raids in Los Angeles, stating, "[We'll] continue to sustain and increase our operations in this city."
"It's not going anywhere," Noem emphasized. "We're here to save the city from the socialist and the oppressive leadership put in place by this governor and this mayor."
Clearly, fighting words.
"Liberate" the city? That's the sort of belligerent language used by dictators - fascist, Communist, or any Third World tyrant.
"Socialist" leadership? Another pejorative, straight out of the right-wing talking points playbook.
Was Noem hinting at the Trump administration's ultimate plan to overthrow Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass due to their allegedly overbearing regimes?
Perhaps Secretary Noem has forgotten her civics lesson - the "liberators" in America are the voters, not immigration agents, cabinet secretaries, or even the president themselves.
California residents re-elected Newsom with an impressive 59% vote in the last election - a decision made by the people, not some federal administration. Likewise, Bass was elected by a nearly 10-point margin in the same election. If Angelenos desire a change, they will have their chance during her re-election campaign next year.
Is "socialist" a tired label for any policy that right-wing individuals don't favor? Yes, indeed. Labeling a wide range of government spending as socialist - even policies like Social Security and Medicare - is not uncommon among Republicans.
Padilla listened to Noem's controversial comments about freeing the citizens from the governor and mayor, which he found too much to bear. He interrupted the press conference with a loud question - a move he should have avoided at a formal event but understandably provoked by Noem's aggressive rhetoric.
Padilla is ordinarily a courteous and civil individual, perfectly composed - the exact opposite of an aggressive loudmouth. However, he is fiercely passionate about the cause of immigrant rights and comprehensive reform advocating for a path to citizenship for undocumented individuals. This is what motivated him to enter politics in the first place.
Growing up as a L.A. native, the son of Mexican immigrants, Padilla spent his formative years witnessing the struggle of Latino activists against Proposition 187, a proposition designed to deny most public services to immigrants residing in the U.S. illegally. Although the proposition never came to pass, the experience instilled in Padilla a deep sense of social responsibility.
Elected to the Los Angeles City Council at the tender age of 26, Padilla then served in the California State Senate, as Secretary of State, and ultimately became California's first Latino U.S. senator in 2025.
On this fateful Thursday, the senator was at the federal building for a meeting with a general when he decided to attend Noem's press conference. Following the confrontation, he was brutally manhandled by federal agents who deemed him a security threat.
Padilla declared repeatedly, "If this is what they do to a United States senator with a question, imagine what they do to farmworkers, day laborers, cooks, and the other nonviolent immigrants they're targeting in California and across the nation."
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung contended that Padilla acted like "a complete lunatic ... rushing towards Secretary Noem." The secretary herself claimed he "lunged" at her.
In reality, a video recording disproved these claims - the agents restrained Padilla after he asked his question. Moreover, they argued that he failed to identify himself. In response, Padilla insisted on multiple occasions, "I am Sen. Alex Padilla."
Furthermore, a federal agent informally warned Padilla's staff member who was recording the incident, "There's no recording allowed out here, per FBI rights."
However, if recording someone exercising their rights is considered a right that requires revocation, then it needs to be repealed.
Unfortunately, the Trump administration has once again proven their ability to make poor decisions. By physicalizing their disdain for political opposition, they have inadvertently elevated Padilla's standing as a symbol of resistance against the administration's questionable policies.
Must-Reads
The must-read: "Protest is patriotic." 'No Kings' demonstrations across L.A. against ICE sweeps, Trump presidency
The TK: "Will mom get detained? Is dad going to work? Answering kids' big questions amid ICE raids"
The LA Times Special: "Voices from the raids: How families are coping with the sudden apprehension of loved ones"
Until next week,
George Skelton
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- Senator Alex Padilla, finding Secretary Noem's dismissive attitude towards Californian voters unacceptable, was physically manhandled by federal bodyguards during a press conference at the Westwood federal building in Los Angeles.
- This disrespectful and abusive treatment by federal agents took place as Noem announced ongoing immigration raids in Los Angeles and emphasized that the operations in the city would not cease.
- In the wake of the altercation, Secretary Noem's use of belligerent language and pejoratives has sparked concerns about the Trump administration's plans regarding the elected leadership in California, particularly Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass.
- California residents re-elected Newsom with an impressive 59% vote in the last election, a decision made by the people and not by the federal administration. Likewise, Bass was elected by a nearly 10-point margin in the same election.
- In its editorial, the Los Angeles Times highlights the importance of protests as a representation of patriotism amid ICE sweeps and the Trump presidency.
- Technology continues to play a significant role in documenting instances of government abuse, as video recordings disproved claims made by the White House Communications Director and Secretary Noem regarding Senator Padilla's behavior during the press conference.
- The recent events have elevated Senator Padilla's standing as a symbol of resistance against the Trump administration's questionable policies, particularly regarding immigration and government relations with California.
