Sen. Alex Padilla had heard all he could stand from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
So the California senator interrupted her.
Padilla, a Democrat, was standing behind reporters when the secretary said federal agents would continue to conduct immigration raids in Los Angeles indefinitely.
“[We’ll] continue to sustain and increase our operations in this city,” Noem said.
This wasn’t a Senate committee hearing in which Padilla could ask anything he wanted — when it was his turn.
Sen. Kristi Noem, the secretary of homeland security, had told Alex Padilla everything he could take. for a valid cause. She was dismissing California voters by sounding like a military dictator.
The senator from California then cut her off. When he attempted to ask a question, federal bodyguards pushed him out of the room while handcuffing him and putting him on the ground with a strongarm.
Does the Trump administration plan to “Make America Great Again” in this way?
This was the first time a U was roughed up and disrespected. A. senator happened during a Noem news conference on Thursday at the Westwood federal building. When the secretary declared that federal agents would indefinitely carry out immigration raids in Los Angeles, Padilla, a Democrat, was standing behind reporters.
Noem declared, “[We’ll] keep up and expand our operations in this city.”.
She underlined, “We are not leaving.”. We’re staying here to free the city from the oppressive and socialist rule that this mayor and governor have imposed on this nation. “.”.
Fighting words, indeed.
Fascist, Communist, or any other Third World dictator would use the phrase “liberate” the city.
“Socialist” leadership? A derogatory term taken directly from the right-wing political rhetorical toolbox.
Is the Trump administration’s ultimate objective to topple Governor? What about Mayor Karen Bass and Gavin Newsom’s “burdensome” regimes?
It is possible that the secretary has forgotten the lessons she was likely taught in civics class.
The way Noem speaks is thoughtless.
Noem, 53, however, served as South Dakota’s governor. She was a member of the U.S. A. a state lawmaker and the House of Representatives. Thus, she is aware of the electoral process. And the only conclusion we can draw is that she spoke mindlessly during her news conference.
Because voters are the “liberators” in America. None of the president, cabinet secretaries, or immigration agents.
In 2022, Californians overwhelmingly reelected Newsom, with 59 percent of the vote. Voters, not a federal administration, have decided that the Democrat will be termed out of office next year.
Bass was elected by a nearly 10-point margin in 2022 as well. When she is running for reelection next year, Angelenos will have the chance to break free from her.
Socialist is such a stale term used to describe almost any policy that the political right dislikes. Social Security and Medicare are just two examples of the many government programs that could be classified as socialist.
As he later stated in TV interviews, Padilla found Noem’s stupid remarks about freeing citizens from the mayor and governor to be simply too much to bear. “”.
He interrupted with an exclamation.
Well, that was a bad thing for him to do. At official news conferences, there is a protocol. No one asks questions except reporters. No, not going to see politicians. Even though it does happen, questioners really shouldn’t interrupt the speaker.
Padilla was not allowed to ask any questions he wanted during his turn because this was not a Senate committee hearing. As his Democratic colleagues subsequently claimed, he wasn’t “doing his job” at Noem’s event. He was an observer there. This was not the appropriate time or location for him to ask the secretary a question.
Incorrect, but comprehensible.
His emotional response to Noem’s remarks, however, was completely reasonable.
As a person, Padilla is usually very civil, calm, and soft-spoken, the antithesis of a loudmouthed, aggressive person.
However, he is fervently committed to the cause of comprehensive reform and immigrant rights, which would provide undocumented individuals with a route to citizenship. He entered politics as a result of it.
His motivation came from Latino activists’ unsuccessful 1994 battle against Proposition 187, which, had it not been overturned by a judge, would have denied the majority of public services to illegal immigrants residing in this country.
At 52, Padilla is a proud L. A. . indigenous, the son of immigrants from Mexico. His mother cleaned the homes of wealthy people, and his father worked as a short-order cook. He received a degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. However, he became enamored with politics and lost the election. A. . 26-year-old City Council member.
He went on to be elected secretary of state and to the state Senate. He eventually became the first Latino U.S. president of California. S. . senator.
To meet with a general, the lawmaker was at the federal building on Thursday. He was escorted inside after learning that Noem was hosting a press conference and asking to attend.
“If that’s what they do to a United States senator with a question, imagine what they do to farmworkers, day laborers, cooks, and the other nonviolent immigrants they are targeting in California and across the country,” Padilla repeatedly said after being pushed to the ground by federal agents who believed he posed a security threat. “.”.
According to White House Communications Director Steven Cheung, Padilla rushed toward Secretary Noem, acting like “a complete lunatic.”. He “lunged” at her, according to Noem.
Not true. Video evidence refuted that.
Padilla failed to identify himself, according to federal bodyguards. More nonsense. They simply didn’t pay attention.
“Go! My name is Sen. Throughout the recording, he can be heard saying and repeating, “Alex Padilla.”.
A federal agent turned to a Padilla employee who was recording the sorry incident and said, “According to FBI rights, no recording is permitted out here.”. “”.
Apologies… It should be abolished if the right to remain anonymous is interfering with a senator’s ability to exercise his rights.
Another foolish move by the Trump administration. Padilla emerged a victor.
What else should you read?
The essential reading: “Protest is patriotic.”. There are “No Kings” protests all over L. 1. against the Trump administration’s ICE sweeps.
The TK: Responding to children’s major inquiries during ICE raids: Will mom be arrested? Will dad be able to work?
“L”. A. Times Special: Voices from the Raids: How Families Are Handling Their Loved Ones’ Unexpected Arrest.
Till the following week.
Skelton George.
