Overview

• Sen. Alex Padilla was tackled, handcuffed and removed by Secret Service and FBI agents on June 12 after he stepped forward during Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s press conference in Los Angeles to question ICE operations
• The Congressional Hispanic Caucus issued a statement demanding a full investigation into Padilla’s treatment and calling for Noem to step down over what members described as an abuse of authority
• House Homeland Security Committee Democrats formally requested a hearing and invited Noem to testify on the protocols that led to the senator’s forcible ejection
• Video assessed by Snopes captures Padilla identifying himself as “Senator Alex Padilla,” a point disputed by Noem’s office and cited by security officials as justification for the removal
• Reactions have largely split along party lines, with Democratic leaders decrying the use of force and a mix of Republican responses ranging from criticism of Padilla’s actions to calls for greater transparency