Democrats are erupting in anger after Sen. Alex Padilla was shoved out of a press conference being held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday afternoon.
Video shows federal agents grabbing the senator and pushing him out a door. Another video shows they later push Padilla to the floor to handcuff him.
Democratic senators took the Senate floor on Thursday afternoon to blast the incident. The White House said Padilla was seeking attention.
Oh the Hill, three Democratic governors — New York’s Kathy Hochul, Minnesota’s Tim Walz and Illinois’s JB Pritzker — have been testifying before the House Oversight committee on sanctuary states since 10 a.m. EDT. The hearing was scheduled weeks before Los Angeles protests prompted the White House to call up California’s National Guard and deploy 700 Marines to quell the crowds. Republican House members have grilled them over migrants in their states.
Also on the Hill, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced tough questions at his third Capitol Hill hearing in three days.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) pressed the secretary over U.S. military posture with Israel reportedly threatening an imminent attack on Iran. Khanna repeatedly asked Hegseth whether he could commit to not directly attacking Iran unless the Islamic Republic first fired on the United States. Hegseth would make no such assurance.
“It wouldn’t be prudent for me to commit or not to commit. My job is to be postured and prepared,” Hegseth said.
President Trump gave extensive remarks at the White House today as he signed a measure to overturn California’s EV mandate. He indicated he may raise auto tariffs in the future, and addressed the “No kings” protests that are set for Saturday, his birthday and the day of the Army’s 250th birthday celebrations.
Other stories to watch:
- Padilla forcibly removed from Noem press conference, handcuffed
- Republicans lay groundwork for ‘total tax cliff’ at end of Trump’s term
- DHS sends out provocative new poster
Follow along here for updates today on this and more.
