U.S. Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) does not agree with the way members of his political party are trying to portray U.S. Secret Service's recent arrest of U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA). 

Golden made this clear in a statement that he provided to Axios.

Before we get to that, however, we will catch you up to speed on the Padilla situation. Take a look at this:

New video showing Senator Padilla was being disruptive and was removed.

This is all a theater. He should not have assaulted the officers.

As the good Senator has repeated numerous times “No one is above the law.” pic.twitter.com/W4XmgCkc48

— Tim (@Dragonboy155) June 12, 2025

Background

Padilla's arrest took place during a press conference that was being help by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday. The purpose of the press conference was to go over the Trump administration's response to the riots that have been taking place in Los Angeles, California.

The Daily Caller reports:

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was conducting a press conference Thursday when Democratic California Sen. Alex Padilla interrupted her. Security then forcibly removed the lawmaker from the room. Security at the conference, which covered the riots wreaking havoc in Los Angeles, can be heard telling the senator to put his hands up. The senator announced himself despite being told to stop and began to remark on the “half a dozen violent criminals that they’re rotating on your, on your.” Before he was able to finish his sentence, security escorted him out of the room.

Padilla, once identified, was released from custody.

Afterwards, it has been reported that Noem and Padilla actually spoke to each other for about 15 minutes, and the reports further indicate that both individuals called the meeting productive - although specifics are hard to come by.

Now, however, Democrats are attempting to use this situation to their political advantage, with some even calling for Noem's resignation.

Not so fast

Golden is one Democrat who does not agree with the way he party is trying to spin the situation.

Axios reports, "Democrats in Congress have largely closed ranks around Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) and Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) — but centrist Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) is panning what he calls their 'politics as theater.'"

The outlet goes on to quote Golden as saying, "I think that it's never good when a senator or member of Congress gets roughed up by law enforcement. I don't think politics as theater is what our job is here."

The accusation seems to be that Padilla's attempt to interrupt Noem was little more than "political theater," which many have argued is a fair reading of what Padilla was trying to do.

Golden has been one of the only Democrats willing to say as much.