This special edition is in response to yesterday’s revolting arrest of my senator, Sen. Alex Padilla. I had the opportunity to watch several Democratic senators speak out on the floor of the Senate. Moving, passionate, righteous, and powerful. I’m sure you can find them online with ease. I highly recommend both Sen. Angela Alsobrook’s and Sen. Cory Booker’s.
I have captured the social media posts of almost all California members of Congress, and several others from across the country.
Be outraged, talk to your friends and family about what happened to both Sen. Padilla and Rep. Monica McIver. These are scary times and we need to recognize that.
Also, please call your republican members of Congress and let them know you’re outraged and expect them to speak out against the repulsive actions taken against their colleagues.
Chair Ken Martin and @Democrats.
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Senator @alex-padilla4ca.bsky.social after being assaulted at Homeland Security press conference:
If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question, you can only imagine what they’re doing to farm workers, cooks, to day laborers.
— Democrats (@democrats.org) 2025-06-12T21:43:36.581Z
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This is what Trump's government thugs are willing to do in broad daylight, to a US Senator, with cameras on.
They are sending the message that anyone who disagrees with Trump isn't safe in America.
This is authoritarianism.
— Democrats (@democrats.org) 2025-06-12T19:32:32.740Z
Democrats doing Democratic things…
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@padilla.senate.gov represents the best of the Senate.
The disgraceful and disrespectful conduct of DHS agents, pushing and shoving him out of a briefing like that, demands our condemnation.
He will not be silenced or intimidated. His questions will be answered.
I’m with Alex.
— Sen. Adam Schiff (@schiff.senate.gov) 2025-06-12T18:47:19.817Z
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Sen. Padilla thrown to the ground, manhandled, brutally taken down, handcuffed
It's disgusting
Reeks of totalitarianism
Un-American
Not what democracies do
Sen. Padilla was in that building to ask questions of what's going on in California, doing his duty to his constituents
We need answers now
— Chuck Schumer (@schumer.senate.gov) 2025-06-12T19:23:13.897Z
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The assault on @padilla.senate.gov is unacceptable and the perpetrators must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Senator Padilla is a devoted public servant who was doing his job. Nothing warrants this assault.
We need immediate answers and accountability.
— Rep. Dave Min (@congressmin.bsky.social) 2025-06-12T19:35:43.287Z
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Senator Padilla was detained today for the crime of asking a question about what's happening in our state, as he was elected to do.
It's clear this administration has no boundaries — and no tolerance for dissent. Californians won't be intimidated, and we won't back down.
— Rep. Laura Friedman (@friedman.house.gov) 2025-06-12T18:41:28.248Z
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Senator Padilla has been my friend for over two decades. He is as decent and honorable a public servant as I know, and an example of the American dream. I stand with him as we seek accountability and transparency from the Trump Administration.
— Rep. Mike Levin (@levin.house.gov) 2025-06-12T18:38:47.931Z
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Rep. Tran: "Sen. Padilla was physically assaulted and arrested for attending Sec. Noem's press event...Would you have me forcibly removed from your press event if I walked in?"
Hegseth: "I'm not going to speculate on a hypothetical."
Rep. Tran: "I'll take that as a yes."
— The Bulwark (@thebulwark.com) 2025-06-12T19:37:45.106Z
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What happened to Senator Padilla in California today is outrageous. Senator Padilla is a respected leader of great dignity and he has every right to ask a question of Secretary Noem without being slammed down and handcuffed.
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar.com) 2025-06-12T19:17:17.513Z
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The Trump administration is out of control with this utterly disgraceful behavior.
Assaulting a sitting U.S. Senator who was conducting his oversight responsibilities at a public press conference cannot go unanswered.
Each of these officials must be held accountable.
— Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (@cleaver.house.gov) 2025-06-12T19:04:23.974Z
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It is unacceptable and un-American to manhandle and handcuff a United States Senator who was simply doing his job.
We need immediate answers from law enforcement about what happened, and there must be assurances from the Administration that this will never happen again.
— Senator Dick Durbin (@durbin.senate.gov) 2025-06-12T19:03:21.647Z
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Physically accosting and handcuffing a U.S. Senator who is advocating for his constituents at a public event is outrageous.
The Trump Administration is violating the Constitution and can’t take any questions or criticism about their illegal actions.
— Senator Peter Welch (@welch.senate.gov) 2025-06-12T18:47:35.743Z
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Physically accosting and handcuffing a U.S. Senator who is advocating for his constituents at a public event is outrageous.
The Trump Administration is violating the Constitution and can’t take any questions or criticism about their illegal actions.
— Senator Peter Welch (@welch.senate.gov) 2025-06-12T18:47:35.743Z
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Every member of the Congress needs to condemn this, and fast. Especially the Republican ones who have so far demonstrated nothing but cowardice and facism-adjacency when it comes to Trump. This is the time to stand up for democracy or else get the F out of this line of work.
— Sean Casten (@seancasten.bsky.social) 2025-06-12T18:44:05.356Z
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@padilla.senate.gov was manhandled and detained for attending a public DHS press conference.
The Trump administration is trying to silence protestors, journalists, and even U.S. Senators.
This is authoritarian behavior. We need a full investigation. I stand with Senator Padilla.
— Rep. Nydia Velázquez (@velazquez.house.gov) 2025-06-12T18:42:46.270Z
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This afternoon's manhandling of @padilla.senate.gov after he sought to speak at a public press conference follows a pattern by this Administration to weaponize law enforcement to attack political opponents, intimidate peaceful protesters, and raid schools. This should be condemned by both parties.
— Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (@repsuhas.bsky.social) 2025-06-12T22:35:58.331Z
Oversight
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