Overview

• On June 20 in Los Angeles, Vice President JD Vance referred to Senator Alex Padilla as “Jose Padilla” during a press event on immigration policy.
• The misnaming went viral on social media, with commentators framing the gaffe as a racially charged insult given Padilla’s Latino heritage.
• The comment reignited focus on the June 13 incident when Padilla was forcibly removed and handcuffed at Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s briefing.
• DHS officials contend Padilla failed to identify himself and lunged toward Secretary Noem, while Padilla insists he was peacefully attempting to ask a question.
• Members of Congress from both parties have called for an independent inquiry into DHS’s handling of the senator’s removal.