Regardless of your views on a Democrat leader facing restraint from federal security, frankly, I couldn’t care less. However, one segment of today’s struggling news media that has been remarkably effective is precisely that.
Alex Padilla’s video has gone viral after a California Democrat unexpectedly advanced during a press conference led by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Noem conducted briefings in Los Angeles to supervise federal enforcement regarding illegal immigration, explain her department’s actions, and address questions from those present.
The footage featuring Padilla shows the senator moving towards Noem’s podium, disregarding warnings, and unable to be restrained by security as they attempted to push him back before being cornered.
“Hands off,” Padilla asserts. He continues to engage with security, declaring, “I am Senator Alex Padilla,” and “I have a question for my secretary.” He pushes closer to Noem, who is still in the midst of speaking. Standing at over 6 feet tall—”a large presence,” as noted by one of his Senate peers—he was ultimately subdued and handcuffed by security during the altercation.
He then delivered an emotional statement, struggling to voice a “question” to Noem; did the ailing media take it from there?
The New York Times reported, “This footage depicts Padilla stepping forward, introducing himself, and beginning to ask questions…”
NBC stated, “D-Calif Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from a press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday.”
Reuters noted: “After attempting to pose questions during a press conference, Sen. Alex Padilla was pushed down and handcuffed by security…”
Politico adds: “…Law enforcement placed handcuffs on Senator Alex Padilla after he attempted to ask questions during the press conference.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom, often likened to a Caucasian male version of Kamala Harris, stated on social media, “If they can handcuff U.S. senators for asking questions, imagine what they would do to you.”
If Padilla simply suggested a question, it would be akin to Kanye West thinking aloud.
This wasn’t merely about “questioning questions.” He had interrupted an official Cabinet Secretary’s event. Padilla, as a senator, should not find himself obstructed by Noem or others when genuinely attempting to voice his concerns.
Padilla and the press continue to assert that he identified himself as a senator—Don’t recognize him?—so there was no rationale for perceiving him as a threat. This reasoning is flawed. Identifying oneself while aggressively approaching a senior government official does little to alleviate concern.
It’s also unreasonable to assume that security personnel would recognize Padilla; he’s not exactly a household name, and it isn’t their responsibility to know every member of Congress who might abruptly appear. Yes, he declared himself a senator, but so what? Parks in Los Angeles are teeming with individuals seeking attention.
Padilla’s advice: Next time, consider notifying Noem’s team in advance about your attendance. Or, at the very least, raise your hand and wait for your turn to speak, just like everyone else.
The struggling media wishes to portray Padilla as a victim of excessive force. This narrative feeds into stories about innocent individuals, including U.S. senators, amidst the enforcement of immigration laws under the Trump administration. (In a related update, the New York Times headlined “Padilla’s struggles evoke painful childhood memories.”)
Source: thefederalist.com