A press briefing led by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was abruptly disrupted [1] Thursday when Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) approached the stage unannounced, sparking a brief confrontation with security personnel.
The incident took place during Noem’s scheduled DHS update in Los Angeles.
As she delivered her opening remarks, Padilla approached from the side of the room without identifying himself.
Attendees and security officials initially did not recognize him, prompting them to intervene as he attempted to speak out during the event.
Video footage from the scene shows Padilla resisting attempts to be escorted back, leading to a physical encounter where he was pushed back by security and responded by pushing back himself.
The situation escalated briefly before he exited the area.
Senator Padilla interrupting Secretary Noem, being forcibly removed, then being handcuffed. pic.twitter.com/B3fv4mtKKB [2]
— Paul A. Szypula (@Bubblebathgirl) June 12, 2025 [3]
Padilla later released a statement claiming he had been waiting for a separate, scheduled briefing in another room when he learned that Noem was holding a press conference nearby.
He then decided to attend her event and ask a question, although it was not yet time for the press to ask questions and Padilla had not been invited to the session.
In his statement, Padilla did not take questions from the media but insisted he was neither arrested nor detained.
“If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question… you can only imagine what they’re doing to farm workers, to cooks, to day laborers out in the Los Angeles community, and throughout California, and throughout the country,” Padilla said, appearing emotional.
“We will hold this administration accountable.”
BREAKING: Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) gets teared up and very emotional after being handcuffed, removed because he disrupted Kristi Noem’s press conference.
“If this is the response to a senator with a QUESTION – I can only IMAGINE what they’re doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to… pic.twitter.com/Lw2WonwhYA [4]
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 12, 2025 [5]
Padilla’s framing of the event quickly drew criticism, including from national security experts and media analysts.
Even CNN’s security analyst explained that the reaction from law enforcement aligned with protocol, especially given that Padilla approached a cabinet-level official unannounced during a controlled event.
Omg. CNN brought on their legal expert in hopes that he would side with Sen. Padilla over DHS.
They were wrong.
“Officers are trying to lead him out, he turns and walks into those agents. At that point…we’re taking that person out against their will.”pic.twitter.com/0yD7jIIbbp [6]
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) June 12, 2025 [7]
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem addressed the incident during an interview with Fox News and dismissed Padilla’s conduct as an act of “political theater.”
“No one knew who he was. He came in through the side of the room and disrupted the press conference,” Noem said.
“It was completely inappropriate, not becoming of a U.S. senator. Perhaps he wanted the scene.”
DHS Sec. Noem SHAMES Sen. Padilla for his actions today:
“The way that he acted was completely inappropriate. It wasn’t becoming of a U.S. Senator or a public official, and perhaps he wanted the scene.” pic.twitter.com/JF4Lf1pZXq [8]
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) June 12, 2025 [9]
Noem added that Padilla’s actions were “absolutely ridiculous” and noted that his behavior during the incident undermined the seriousness of the work being done by DHS.
“The American people are tired of this,” Noem said.
“People need to get over themselves and have the backs of law enforcement.”
DHS Sec. Kristi Noem is having NONE of Sen. Padilla’s theatrics:
“I’m so sick of the politics, Martha. This is literally people’s lives. We have criminal gangs and terrorists out on our streets that we’re trying to remove from LA.
People just need to get over themselves and… pic.twitter.com/tVOsnr0QPE [10]
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) June 12, 2025 [11]
The disruption comes amid heightened security concerns nationwide, following recent threats and attempted attacks on public officials.
Security experts emphasized that all attendees—regardless of title—are expected to follow standard identification and clearance procedures at official briefings, especially those involving federal security personnel.
Padilla’s office has not responded to additional requests for clarification on whether his attendance at the press conference had been coordinated with event organizers.
The event concluded without further disruption.