Standing United, Senate Democrats Condemn Excessive And Inappropriate Use Of Force Against Senator Padilla; Demand Secretary Noem Issue Full And Transparent Report

Washington, D.C. – Today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) led the entire caucus in writing to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem condemning the excessive use of force against Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) during a recent press conference and demanding a full report into the incident.

Today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) led the entire Senate Democratic caucus in writing to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem condemning the excessive use of force against Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) during her recent press conference in Los Angeles and demanding that she issue a full report examining the incident.

“The actions taken by U.S. Secret Service and Federal Bureau of Investigation agents, physically manhandling Senator Padilla after he calmly identified himself as a United States Senator, then forcibly shoving him out of the room, are not only unacceptable but an affront to our democratic institutions,” the Senators wrote. “Senator Padilla has both the right and the responsibility to demand transparency from the Department of Homeland Security regarding immigration enforcement actions in the state he represents.”

This request comes after Leader Schumer demanded that Senate Republican Leader John Thune (R-SD) allow for a bipartisan Senate investigation into the incident.

“Let us be clear, simply asking a question should not precipitate the handcuffing of a U.S. Senator in the United States of America. We cannot, and will not, tolerate intimidation or accept the use of force for speaking on behalf of our constituents in holding you and this Administration accountable,” the Senators continued. “We look forward to receiving a full accounting of this incident.”

The full text of the letter can be seen here and below.

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Dear Secretary Noem,

We write today to condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the inappropriate and excessive use of force against Senator Alex Padilla during your recent press conference in Los Angeles and to demand a full, transparent report into the incident.

The actions taken by U.S. Secret Service and Federal Bureau of Investigations agents, physically manhandling Senator Padilla after he calmly identified himself as a United States Senator, then forcibly shoving him out of the room, are not only unacceptable but an affront to our democratic institutions. Senator Padilla has both the right and the responsibility to demand transparency from the Department of Homeland Security regarding immigration enforcement actions in the state he represents.

The deeply disturbing images of a sitting U.S. Senator being handcuffed and shoved face-down to the floor are an act of political intimidation, one that underscores your Administration’s alarming disregard for the constitutional separation of powers. Since taking office, your Department has routinely obstructed congressional oversight, proved unresponsive to requests for information, and withheld information about immigration enforcement actions from Members of Congress. While you continue to stage elaborate press conferences, you neglect your duty to brief elected officials on enforcement actions directly affecting their states and constituents.

Your baseless claim that Senator Padilla “lunged” at you during the press conference is directly contradicted by the abundant footage of the incident. However, the incident and your response are part of a shameful pattern of deceit to the American people that suggests a desire to quash dialogue and deride dissenting voices in an effort to shield your Department from accountability. Your actions and those of your agents disregard our solemn role as Senators to redress the grievances of our constituents without fear of retaliation.

Let us be clear, simply asking a question should not precipitate the handcuffing of a U.S. Senator in the United States of America. We cannot, and will not, tolerate intimidation or accept the use of force for speaking on behalf of our constituents in holding you and this Administration accountable. We look forward to receiving a full accounting of this incident.

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