Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) recounted the incident last week when he was ejected from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem‘s press conference, with members of her detail forcing him to the ground and handcuffing him.

Padilla has given multiple interviews since then, but he for the first time gave details on the Senate floor.

He pushed back against DHS’s claim that the aggressive action was taken because he didn’t identify himself as a U.S. senator. But video showed Padilla shouting at her security detail that he was a senator.

“I was physically and aggressively forced out of the room, even as I repeatedly announced I was a United States senator and I had a question for the secretary, and even as the National Guardsman and the FBI agent who served as my escorts brought me in to that press briefing room, stood by, silently, knowing full well who I was,” Padilla said.

“You’ve seen video. I was pushed and pulled and struggled to maintain my balance. I was forced to the ground, first on my knees and then flat on my chest, and as I was handcuffed and marched down a hallway repeatedly asking, ‘Why am I being detained?’” he said. “Not once did they tell me why.”

Padilla grew emotional as he recounted the story.

“I pray you never have a moment like this, but I will tell you, in that moment, a lot of questions came to my mind. First of all, where were they taking me? Because I know I am not just being escorted out of the building. Am I being arrested here? What will a city already on edge from being militarized think when they see their United States senator being handcuffed just for trying to ask a question? And what will my wife think? What will my boys think?”

He said that he also remembers asking himself, “If this aggressive escalation is the result of someone speaking out against the abuses and overreach of the Trump administration, was it really worth it?”

DHS said that Noem met with Padilla afterward for a 15-minute meeting, but the senator did not mention that in his floor remarks.

She was holding the press conference in the aftermath of Donald Trump‘s decision to federalize the National Guard to respond to protests over ICE immigration raids in the region. Newsom is challenging the order in court.

Democrats have called on Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) to take action, while House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said that Padilla was at fault and said he would support an investigation of his conduct.

Padilla said that “if that is what the administration is willing to do to a United States senator for having the authority to simply ask a question, imagine what they will do to any American who dares speak up.”

More to come.

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The post On Senate Floor, Alex Padilla Recounts Forcible Removal From Kristi Noem Press Conference: “I Pray You Never Have A Moment Like This” appeared first on LemonFire.