Manhandling of US senator ups California tensions with Trump administration
Senator Alex Padilla cuffed and forcibly removed after questioning Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem
California’s stand-off with US President Donald Trump’s administration ratcheted up on Thursday, after a sitting US senator was handcuffed and forcibly removed from a press conference on immigration raids that have spurred days of protests.
The shocking incident, which came after the Republican president sent troops into Los Angeles over the objections of local and state officials, was swiftly condemned by furious Democrats who said it “reeks of totalitarianism”.
Video footage showed Senator Alex Padilla, a Democrat, being pushed from the room at a federal building in Los Angeles as he tried to ask Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about the raids.
“I’m Senator Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary,” he said as two men grappled with him in front of journalists.
Footage filmed by Padilla’s staff outside the room showed the senator being pushed to the ground and handcuffed.