The shocking incident, which came after the Republican president sent troops into Los Angeles over the objections of local and state officials, was swiftly slammed by furious Democrats who said it “reeks of totalitarianism.”
“I’m Senator Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary,“ he said as two men grappled with him in front of journalists, including from AFP.
Democratic-led California is currently embroiled in battles with the White House on several fronts, with Governor Gavin Newsom branding Trump “dictatorial” as his lawyers prepared to face off with the administration over the deployment of 4,700 troops to the city.
The incident “reeks of totalitarianism,“ Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said, calling for an investigation.
The White House hit back, claiming it was a “theater-kid stunt” and claiming without evidence that Padilla “lunged toward Secretary Noem.”
Noem was addressing reporters after almost a week of protests in Los Angeles ignited by the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
Trump, who has repeatedly exaggerated the scale of the unrest, deployed 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 US Marines.
Anger at Trump’s crackdown and the use of masked, armed immigration agents, backed by uniformed soldiers, is spreading to other cities. Nationwide protests were planned for Saturday.
A federal judge in San Francisco was set to hear arguments on whether use of the troops is constitutional, with Newsom alleging the president “is creating fear and terror.”
California also sued Trump’s administration Thursday over his move to scrap the state’s tailpipe emission rules and its drive to phase out gas-powered cars.
But with his mounting crackdown rippling through industries heavily reliant on immigrant labor -- such as farming, construction and hospitality -- Trump said he had heard employers’ complaints and hinted at a forthcoming policy shift.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum spoke up Thursday, saying she had told a visiting US official that “we didn’t agree with the use of raids to detain people working honestly in the United States.”
A nationwide “No Kings” movement was expected on Saturday, the same day Trump attends a highly unusual military parade in the US capital.
The parade, featuring warplanes and tanks, has been organized to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the US Army but also happens to be on the day of Trump’s 79th birthday.
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