Protests in the USA: Rabiater incident: US Senator from the press conference dragged

Democratic US Senator Alex Padilla was rabidly paid by security forces at a press conference with Minister of Homeland Protection. The politician from California had interrupted the Republican when she commented on the protests in Los Angeles on site. Senators traditionally enjoy a resulting position in the United States – the incident is correspondingly unusual.

On video recordings you can see and hear how Padilla gives his name and position and then calls on Noem’s statements: « I have questions. » While he speaks, security forces intervene, pack it and drag him out of the room. Padilla can still be heard as he calls « hands away ». In the hallway, he is brought to the ground by officials from the Federal Police FBI and placed in handcuffs. It was initially unclear whether the emergency services were aware that it was an incumbent US senator.

Padilla is the successor to Kamala Harris

Padilla has been sitting in the US Senate since 2021. He was appointed as the successor to Kamala Harris after she had switched to the White House under the then President Joe Biden as Vice President. Padilla – a son Mexican immigrant – is the first Latino to represent the state of California in the Senate in Washington.

Minister: Behavior was « not appropriate »

Noem commented on the incident during the ongoing press conference. She said she didn’t know the senator personally. The minister criticized the Senator’s approach: « I think everyone in America would agree that this was not appropriate. » Meanwhile, she was looking for a conversation with the Californian governor Gavin Newsom – according to her information without success.

Shortly afterwards, he wrote on platform X that the senator was one of the most decent people he knows. « This is outrageous, dictatorial and shameful. » Trump and his people got out of control. That must end immediately.

Later the Ministry of Homeland Protection said that Noem had held a 15-minute conversation with Padilla after the incident.