Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem traveled to Los Angeles earlier this week to speak with reporters about immigration enforcement efforts.

However, Noem's press conference was disrupted when California Democrat Sen. Alex Padilla had to be forcibly removed from the room.

Liberal lawmaker disrupts event

As NBC News reported, video footage of the incident shows Padilla abruptly entering the room and interrupting Noem's briefing.

BREAKING: California Democratic Senator @AlexPadilla4CA just crashed DHS Secretary Noem’s press conference in LA and was forcibly removed. pic.twitter.com/Q2sUWiImAM

— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) June 12, 2025

"I am Sen. Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary," the California lawmaker can be heard saying before a group of men grab hold of him.

NBC News observed that Padilla's office shared another video in which he can be seen being taken into a hallway where individuals wearing FBI jackets told the senator to put his hands behind his and proceeded to handcuff him.

Newsome weighs in

NBC News noted that Padilla's apprehension was met with outrage from Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

"Watching this video sickened my stomach, the manhandling of a United States Senator, Senator Padilla. We need immediate answers to what the hell went on," Schumer wrote in a social media post.

"This is outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful. Trump and his shock troops are out of control. This must end now," the governor declared.

Meanwhile, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus is demanding "a full investigation and consequences for every official involved in this assault against a sitting US senator."

Republicans blast Padilla

However, Fox News reported that Republicans like Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno have been quick to blame Padilla for the controversy.

"The important facts are, was he committing a crime? Right?" Moreno told Fox News. "The fact that I'm a United States senator doesn't make me immune from laws. In fact, the Democrats are the ones that like to say, 'nobody's above the law.'"

Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso put out a similar message, saying, "I think [Padilla] should have been here in Washington voting. He has a responsibility to his constituents, to show up at work, not to go try to make a spectacle of himself."