During a question-and-answer portion, Neom briefly addressed the senator’s interruption.
U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) interrupted a press conference by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday, June 12, in Los Angeles, prompting him to be forcibly removed.
Video of the incident captured Padilla interrupting as Noem was speaking alongside law enforcement on the anti-ICE protests in the city.
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’m Senator Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary, because the fact of the matter is a half a dozen …” the senator said before struggling with the men who escorted him out of the room and out of view, adding, “Hands off.”
During a question-and-answer portion, Neom briefly addressed the senator’s interruption.
“I don’t even know the senator, he did not request a meeting with me or to speak with me, so when I leave here, I will have a conversation with him and visit and find out really what his concerns were,” she said. “I think everybody in America would agree that that wasn’t appropriate, that if you wanted to have a civil discussion, especially as a leader, a public official, that you would reach out and try to have a conversation.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom also briefly addressed the scuttle, saying in a post on X, “@SenAlexPadilla is one of the most decent people I know. This is outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful. Trump and his shock troops are out of control. This must end now.”
The Epoch Times has reached out to Sen. Padilla’s office for comment.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
By Chase Smith
