California Senator Alex Padilla handcuffed at Nome press conference in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES – The Trump administration defended the handcuffs of Senator Alex Padilla on Thursday, saying the Secret Service believed he was an attacker at a press conference with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Department of Homeland Security spokesman Tricia McLaughlin Padilla In a statement following the incident, “Disrespected Political Theater” and officials said. She said Norm and Padilla met for 15 minutes after the press conference.

The forced removal and handcuffs of the California Senator, as he determined himself marked the latest escalation in immigration between the Trump administration and the Democrats, members of the Padilla Party have completely condemned the encounter.

Video provided by Padilla's office shows the senator approaching the podium while speaking in Noem. He was stopped by multiple men and pushed back.

“I am Senator Alex Padilla. I have questions about the secretary.” He said, “When he was forcibly moved into the adjoining room, he tried to speak further, where he shouted “Have your hands on!”

The video shows Padilla being forced to wear her arm behind her back.

The outbreak came as Noem touted federal law enforcement's immigration crackdown in Los Angeles, highlighting people with a record of violent crimes that were attacked. Earlier this week, Noem described Los Angeles as a “criminal” while blasting the immigration protests.

Padilla, speaking in the media shortly after the confrontation, said he was preparing to brief the federal building when he decided to give up at the press conference in Lower Noem in the lobby. He said when he “forcedly moved away” from the room, he began to ask a question to his secretary, who was forced to wear it on the ground and handcuffed.

“If this is the response of this government to the senator's questions … you can only imagine their behavior to farm workers, chefs and temporary workers,” Padilla said. “We will hold that government accountable.”

In Washington, Democratic senators have clearly incited the last vote today from the video.

“As this event with Senator Padilla shows, Republicans obviously embraced their fists,” Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren told Politico. “Violence is by no means the answer. … It looks more and more like the fascist country every day.”

“It's very disturbing,” Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock told Politico. “We need the answer.”

Adam Schiff of California Senator said he was “disgusted by what I saw,” adding that Padilla had “all rights to ask questions.”

“Kristi Noem should never be appointed to the position. She should resign.” He said, calling for an investigation into the conduct of the officers detaining Padilla.

The confrontation won quick condemnation from other Californians in Congress, who quickly gathered at the steps of the Capitol to protest Padilla's treatment.

Rep. Pete Aguilar, the third Democrat in the House of Representatives Said on X. “The chaos and corruption in this government are out of control.”

Shortly after the incident, Governor Gavin Newsom called Padilla's treatment of Padilla “outrageous, dictatorial and shameful.”

“Trump and his storm forces are out of control,” he wrote.

When asked about the confrontation at the press conference, Noim said: “I will visit the Senator and find out what his concerns are and what we can do.”

Meanwhile, South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham suggested Padilla get what he wanted from the exchange.

“He got what he wanted, he was on TV,” Graham said.

“I think what he should do is make sure we have a rational immigration policy. He said: “I think what he should do is make sure we have a rational immigration policy. He stayed on the court for four years with a good man, watching the borders completely blown away. People are stuck in trouble by millions and have caused problems for our country.”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he had seen the video of the incident but wanted to “get the truth and find out exactly what happened before we make any comments on it.”

However, at least one Republican senator was surprised by Padilla's way.

“It's so scary,” said Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski. “It's shocking on every level. It's not the United States I know.”

Jordain Carney and Aaron Pellish contributed to the report.