The senator pushed back on Trump administration claims he was trying to make a "viral moment," saying, "Nothing could be further from the truth"

Sen. Alex Padilla's staggering treatment, Trump tries to kill California auto emission standards and more big stories.

The incident occurred amid heightened political tensions nationwide, including protests against federal immigration authorities over aggressive sweeps of migrants and immigrants, and deportations.

Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) was forcibly removed from a press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday after interrupting Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during her remarks on the department’s deportation plans in California.

California U.S. Senator Alex Padilla Leads Entire Senate Democratic Caucus in Demanding President Trump Remove Military Forces From Los Angeles

The senator is known on Capitol Hill for being kind and nerdy. His forcible removal from a news conference resonated as a call to action among Democrats.

The following is the transcript of an interview with Sen. Alex Padilla, Democrat of California, that aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on June 15, 2025.MARGARET BRENNAN: And we're joined now by California Senator Alex Padilla.

During a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on June 11, 2025, Senator Alex Padilla discusses a DOJ opinion piece that asserts the president has legal authority to abolish national monuments.