Sarah Longwell and Tim Miller join Nicolle Wallace on MSNBC's Deadline: White House to break down the disturbing footage of U.S. Senator Alex Padilla being forcibly removed, handcuffed, and thrown to the ground at a press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
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Is there video of how the incident started? The DHS tweet said it was during a live press conference but I haven't seen any other footage.
The GOP reps seem to believe that they will always be in power, so they don’t think they need to worry that one day they’ll be in Senator Padilla’s shoes. That kind of hubris always leads to disaster.
This is what i often think about - they seem to trust the other side to respect the law and follow the rules...
Tim has it right- they actually think roughing up a US senator is good for them, proves to the "base" how have all the power. To show even senators who's boss, in whatever humiliating, abusive way they choose. They actually think this helps them. Because as always, the cruelty is the point. I think Padiila should sue both Noem and her criminal organization posing as an agency for assault. He won't, but he'd be within his rights simply as a citizen, not to mention a US senator.
Also significant and ominous here are the immediate reactions of the federal agents who grabbed and manhandled Padilla. While the fact that Noem didn't say anything to stop them reflects badly on her personally, it's also important that what the automatic reaction of these men--some combination of SS, CBP, and FBI--was. They could hear him saying who he was and yet they pushed him out of the room, put him on the floor, and handcuffed him.
The fact that they did this--perhaps on the orders of one of them, perhaps spontaneously--matters. Sure it's bad that Noem didn't say anything to stop it, sure it's bad that the norms of our political discourse are deteriorating. But let's also look at this as one of many phenomena out there that shows armed personnel of one kind or another (is LEOs the umbrella term here?) working closely with or for Trump administration officials and apparently adopting norms and practices that are antithetical to our country's best principles. From ICE and CBP personnel to the Secret Service and FBI agents and perhaps sooner rather than later other services, there's a dangerous pattern of viewing anyone different and any opposition as the enemy and of ignoring norms of tradition and even human decency as well as laws in dealing with those they see as the enemy. This is bad.
9:50. Middle Eastern name correctly pronounced by a white male former Republican from flyover country and electively living in Louisiana. Y'all CAN do it, you just don't CARE to. (I know, we all know all of this, but still.)
It was in the federal building!!!! Everyone had to go through security to even be there!!!!!
Great piece -- thanks! And it was refreshing to hear Tim talk for 16 minutes and not drop one F-bomb. So it CAN be done -- who knew? 😂
They have been setting this precedent since Trump took power; they’ve already capitulated most of their power to DOGE and The Heritage Foundation.
It makes me think they may know something that the rest of us don’t; the next election won’t be free or fair! IMHO..:)
The NY Times article made light of this. Look this nerdy senator is getting attention!
I cancelled my subscription.
Trump should have a 10th anniversary ride down the golden escalator. It was all there right from the very first Trump rally wasn't it? All these brown people need to go and if you disrespect or dissent we will beat your ass, drag you out on a stretcher and I'll pay the legal bills. So there Americans, media, business "community" or whatever. All you need to kill a Republic is a 35% of hardcore disciplined, misinformed believers and 15 or 20% of the population to not care or be afraid and pre comply and you can use the system to take control of the system and destroy it.
I sincerely hope the Senator will sue. Noemnothing is a fraud and a pathological liar. She is being a good little cosplayer because if she does not, Miller will spank.
Please also not that just before Sn. Padilla is dragged out, Sec. Noem clearly states that the National Guard and Marines are staying there to “liberate” LA from their mayor and governor (starts at 7:30 in this video):
https://youtu.be/DJth_zJyMZw?si=eYvqblPWS92tfzRY
No one seemed to remind her that both of them were elected!!!!
This, on the other side, is what you hear endlessly whenever Trump is crticized for challenging rules and dismissing the law..
I really appreciate both Tim and Sarah’s perspective highlighting the significance of DHS silencing Senator Padilla by throwing him to the ground. Unfortunately, that shocking event detracted from what was most important about that Press Conference. Kristi Noem came to LA to incite and threaten. Her presentation was aggressive and full of lies. She threatened Unions and NGOs with IRS Investigations. She threatened a coup against the state of California. Noem said she was going to “Liberate Los Angeles” from their democratically elected officials. That is very concerning. But no one is discussing Kristi Noem’s lies and threats and they should be.
The thing that I haven’t seen highlighted, although I am probably just being blind and deaf, is that this was in an FBI building. Who did they think got thru all that security to protest in a freaking federal building, that they had to do a takedown?
📣 A Message to My Fellow Grandparents: The Escalation We Cannot Ignore
My dear friends and fellow guardians of memory and wisdom,
What happened to U.S. Senator Alex Padilla — a sitting senator, forcibly detained and dragged by Department of Homeland Security agents — should send a chill through the heart of every American who remembers our nation’s history and who understands how democracy begins to unravel.
This is not an isolated moment. This is part of a pattern. We’ve watched as:
ICE raids increased under orders from Trump adviser Stephen Miller, targeting minority neighborhoods and families at dawn.
Peaceful protestors were gassed and beaten, journalists detained, and federal agents in unmarked vehicles abducted citizens from the streets.
And now, a U.S. Senator, simply for participating in a peaceful protest for immigrant dignity, is violently subdued on camera — while identifying himself.
This is not law enforcement. This is intimidation.
This is not security. This is state-sponsored suppression.
And yes, it echoes the early tactics of fascist regimes:
Mussolini began by using paramilitary squads to silence critics.
Hitler used legal structures and state violence to criminalize dissent, beginning with raids, surveillance, and arrests — before the machinery of full authoritarianism took over.
In both cases, people were told it was for “order,” for “security,” for “the good of the nation.” Sound familiar?
We cannot let our children and grandchildren grow up in a country where silencing elected officials becomes a precedent, not an outrage.
💥 This is the trajectory of tyranny.
🛑 What Can We Do?
Speak truth at family dinners, in church halls, and over coffee with friends.
Call it what it is: unconstitutional, un-American, and dangerous.
Educate our families on historical patterns — because those who forget are doomed to repeat them.
Contact your representatives and demand accountability from DHS and Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas.
Support independent media that reports the truth, not sanitized talking points.
Show our grandchildren that standing up is not just our right — it’s our legacy.
We are the keepers of stories — of Selma, of Normandy, of the Freedom Riders.
We’ve seen this before, and we must say now, together:
Not on our watch. Not in our name.
🇺🇸 With love, fire, and peaceful courage,
Clarissa Sr., an American Grandma
For democracy. For justice. For family.
Thank you!!
This happened in California it is time for criminal investigation of assault against the individuals who assaulted the senator. The time is now. There are reasons to believe that Noemi is leading an organized crime effort involved in human trafficking. We need criminal charges against these illegal acts
I fear not just mid term but also then he can claim martial law. And be done with elections completely.
Sarah is getting some many Ws lately. She is so awesome. Love everything she said in these clips.
Sarah needs to stop calling it "this administration" and call it like it is. This "regime!"
Kristi Noem is simply adopting the Trump approach to political rivals - “knock the hell out of ‘em,” arrest them, jail them, disappear them, send them to a foreign gulag for the rest of their lives.
She expects Trump will back her up on this. And the agents who took this Senator to the floor and handcuffed him? They are 100% certain that Trump will shield them from any accountability. Same goes for the federal(ized) agents who shot reporters w rubber bullets, brazenly on camera.
They know Trump will support their violence. .
Jeffrey, well said but the author of this bigoted nightmare is the nazi Miller. You really think Noemnothing understands anything beyond what she is told?
If you notice in the Mike Johnson video there's a large beefy guy right behind him with an earpiece in his ear. He's got a "body man" a security man with him.... in the Capitol building. Everywhere you look Republicans are surrounding themselves with the trappings of Fascist power. That used to be a feature of the fringes with MTG hanging out with or being "protected" by paramilitary types at their events. Now they all project the vibe...you disrespect or dissent and I'll have my guys beat your ass
Apparently he had the Capitol police seal off his office so other members couldn’t approach him to discuss it.
Yeah, he and the felon are cowards and cowards stick together. He is a disgrace.
You guys were on fire. You were powerful as hell.
Kudo's to the ignorant MAGA gun bunny Secretary puppy killer for weaving in racist tropes about the large brown man lunging at her out of control, I'm surprised she didn't pull a pistol and shoot him herself
She is and has been a lying swine. Talent? none. Ability? none. That is a pre-requisite to work for the bottom feeder.
This is horrible. Everyone needs to attend a protest tomorrow and be peaceful. These thugs need to be shown for what they are.
Thank you, Tim and Sarah.
Truly disturbed by how many people are fine with this
I saw this on the Bulwark last night and out of curiosity, checked the NYT to see how they were reporting it. Was glad at least to see it was the second or third story. This morning, there is no sign of the story on their “Today” page. NONE. If you search using Padilla, you find the article, but how is this not still front and center? What the hell is happening to this country? (That’s rhetorical, this is a fascist state.)
I know! I just looked (Friday am) and it is nowhere to be found on WaPo or NYT! How can this be buried?
Ok, it’s back on the Today page. With the title “Alex Padilla’s unlikely moment in the spotlight”. Which isn’t exactly designed to generate clicks.
You can see what is happening, your eyes aren't lying to you America. Note towards the end of the footage the voice saying "you can't record back here". You are lucky they were too dumb to take the phone away, or the truth would be gone.
Now visualise what they are doing to normal people without a camera around to record it. To those of you who aren't Senators. They didn't even care that TV cameras were there for a presser!
They are brazenly showing how untouchable they feel. How they can get away with anything. Their foot soldiers aren't scared of repercussions because they saw the Jan 6th crowd rewarded with pardons & expect the same. I'd wager a pretty sum that half the masked thugs you see in ICE jackets aren't actually agents of ICE.
You can no longer say your country is at risk of an authoritarian takeover, because you are now there. Democracy is not functioning because those in power have abrogated their oaths & duty. Soldiers are on the streets standing against their own citizens And whilst I hoped for your sake they wouldn't obey unlawful orders, that hope was damaged by the sound & vision of cheering & booing American servicemen & women at what amounted to a Trump rally at Fort Bragg.
The rules & norms no longer apply, and I fear your hopes of salvation when the midterms come around are misplaced. It is up to you the people now, because Congress have chosen fascism for America. I wish you luck Americans of good hearts, because you have a hard road ahead.
Sen. Padilla seems pretty rattled in that live statement. I thank him for his passion, concern, and persistence in representing his constituents, of which I am one.
Sarah is right on point. My reaction immediately was Noem should have recognized what was happening, stopped it, apologized to the Senator, invited him back in, answered his question, etc. It’s simple. It requires no discussion. That is what is done in any civil society. What actually happened occurs in countries such as Russia, where dictators reign. Period.
Thanks guys of the Bulwark for A) Tim and Sarah’s brilliant way of communicating the truth and nailing, repeatedly, the important points WITHOUT using words that people need to think about like “authoritarianism” etc etc - I think those have become words abstracted away, and THIS was the PRIME example (unfortunately, and so-far) of just thug-like, jack-booted, bullshit suppression of a US Senator WITH VIOLENCE.
EVERYONE needs to watch that video 3 or 4 times to let it really sink in what was happening within a matter of seconds. Noem was nowhere heard calling for a stop. Padilla was NOT being violent or threatening. THIS is what we can expect from ANYONE who steps over the moving line of what “acceptable” is at any moment. And THIS IS NOT WHAT A DEMOCRACY DOES. This is not how we act. This is something way different.
I am emotionally white hot and have been so since your first podcast where I heard of this yesterday. I am not out of control, however - I want people to hear this wide and far here and abroad that this is what America is quickly becoming, and Trump’s later confusing word-salad tweet showing some bizarre ???? I don’t know what to call it about immigrants working in the fields does NOTHING to make it better.
MOREOVER MIKE JOHNSON, the little twat, should apologize for his ridiculous, stunning, stupid words of his calling for Padilla to be “censured”. What a load of shit.
Somehow, the whole of MAGA has forgotten that they answer to us. We are their bosses. Our taxes, not corporations, pay their damn salaries. If I’m looking for a Civil War, they should do some basic reading. The reason the south south lost the Civil War was mostly because all of the industry was in the north and therefore that’s where the money was. If they want to find a way of breaching the United States and breaking us up, they need to remember that their own states require income from states like California. It’s the fourth largest economy in the world. Honestly Idaho compound sand. It’s beautiful, but…
Puppy killer Barbie isn’t just inept, she carries a level of cruelty in her “soul” that is reflected everywhere in MAGA and what is left of the GOP. Not a single one of those people understand the teachings of Christ and it is pure hypocrisy to call themselves such. I’m an atheist and I’m more Christian than they are! I’ve even read the Bible. Pretty sure those guys haven’t even cracked the book. They just carry it around, wearing crosses around their necks as virtue signals.
It is disgusting to see a Senator treated in this manner, especially since he’s from my state. If they want to bring this type of fight to the rest of us, how do they think they’re going to win? We outnumber them. You can only hit or restrain someone so many times. What is the game? For everyone they disagree with and people of color to leave America? Then who’s going to actually work and move the nation forward? Anger is potent as is hate. But it is as empty as these clowns are.
📣 A Message to My Fellow Grandparents: The Escalation We Cannot Ignore
My dear friends and fellow guardians of memory and wisdom,
What happened to U.S. Senator Alex Padilla — a sitting senator, forcibly detained and dragged by Department of Homeland Security agents — should send a chill through the heart of every American who remembers our nation’s history and who understands how democracy begins to unravel.
This is not an isolated moment. This is part of a pattern. We’ve watched as:
ICE raids increased under orders from Trump adviser Stephen Miller, targeting minority neighborhoods and families at dawn.
Peaceful protestors were gassed and beaten, journalists detained, and federal agents in unmarked vehicles abducted citizens from the streets.
And now, a U.S. Senator, simply for participating in a peaceful protest for immigrant dignity, is violently subdued on camera — while identifying himself.
This is not law enforcement. This is intimidation.
This is not security. This is state-sponsored suppression.
And yes, it echoes the early tactics of fascist regimes:
Mussolini began by using paramilitary squads to silence critics.
Hitler used legal structures and state violence to criminalize dissent, beginning with raids, surveillance, and arrests — before the machinery of full authoritarianism took over.
In both cases, people were told it was for “order,” for “security,” for “the good of the nation.” Sound familiar?
We cannot let our children and grandchildren grow up in a country where silencing elected officials becomes a precedent, not an outrage.
💥 This is the trajectory of tyranny.
🛑 What Can We Do?
Speak truth at family dinners, in church halls, and over coffee with friends.
Call it what it is: unconstitutional, un-American, and dangerous.
Educate our families on historical patterns — because those who forget are doomed to repeat them.
Contact your representatives and demand accountability from DHS and Homeland Security Secretary Noem.
Support independent media that reports the truth, not sanitized talking points.
Show our grandchildren that standing up is not just our right — it’s our legacy.
We are the keepers of stories — of Selma, of Normandy, of the Freedom Riders.
We’ve seen this before, and we must say now, together:
Not on our watch. Not in our name.
🇺🇸 With love, fire, and peaceful courage,
Clarissa Sr., an American Grandma
For democracy. For justice. For family.
So I am supposed to believe that cabinet secretary Kristi Noem, visiting in California, did not recognize the state's United States Senator when she saw him? OK, granted the level ineptitude in this administration is impressive. But I still don't believe it.
The devil will deny Mike Johnson his rightful place in hell because he’ll be afraid that Mike might take his job.
Sarah, you were great and your passion and conviction came through loud and clear. Thank you. You’re right, of course, but Republicans will never stand up for their colleague. I don’t even think they’d stand up for a fellow Republican, let alone a democrat. They will do the opposite. Like Tim said, they want this. Furthermore, they are cowards. After seeing what happened to Sen. Padilla, they have a clear picture of what their future will look like if they cross Trump.
I refuse to click on any links from Fox News, but there is currently a headline that reads: “Spectacle of himself: Senate Republicans Blast Alex Padilla After His Forcible Removal From DHS Presser.”
I’m going to refrain from commenting on what I wish would happen to these people because I don’t need Kash Patel’s goon squad coming after me, but trust that it is certainly no worse than anything this administration has already done.
Agree. Hopefully the midterms will be a bloodbath.
I agree because I want to see a rebuke of Trumpism, but unfortunately I don’t think it will matter because Trump is bypassing Congress and ruling by executive order anyway. The most they could do is call congressional hearings that the administration will ignore. I don’t think we will get out of this until there is mass mobilization, and that won’t happen until things get extremely bad.
You so often get right to the heart of things, Sarah. Well done.
Can we share this?
I'm sure that after Trump saw this he liked what he saw.
It wouldn’t be so scary if it were only performative, it’s gone way beyond that. The whole lot of them are performing for him every day.
WTAF 🇺🇸!!!
Free speech? For me but not for thee.
I actually think a moment like that calls for something more than the usual punditry about the political fallout. There are no politics going on here...it's straight up fascistic use of force against a political opponent similar to things Hitler did against his rivals in government shortly after taking power. This stuff renders politics irrelevant and takes control over the country into the realm of barbaric law of the jungle.
Great work, you two! And, Sarah, your passion was palpable and so right for this horrid event, I've got tears again. Seeing a man with such dignity on the floor in cuffs and knowing a little of his history.
I wish I could find words beyond "despicable" for the sadist, Noem.
In a later interview Noem described the incident as a situation in which the Senator practically attacked her. "i will say that people need to identify themselves before they start lunging at people." The Senator identified himself quite clearly. She knew, or should have known, who he was. He didn't 'lunge' Maybe she intended the comment for the masked ICE officers in plainclothes dragging people off the street without identifying themselves. Oh wait. Their brown folks. Never mind..
Sarah you were freaking amazing and quick on your feet!
Sarah Longwell is smart as heck. She is a good person…moral to her core…makes me have hope.
So do you think if he had not been of Hispanic decent this would have happened.
Kristi Noem should get a taste of her version of habeas corpus dropped on her ass.
Watching my senator get assaulted has me terrified, and I’m a “white” woman, daughter of an Armenian immigrant. I am hopeful after listening to HCR, and to people like you all at Bulwark for calling this out.
Bringing tears to our eyes. Thank u Senator for standing up to this hatred & bigotry. While Trumpaloon sells “White Privledge” cards @ Ft. Bragg, this man shows us what true humanity & leadership is. I’m protesting for Padilla on Sat. Bring ur hate magats- we’re bringing peace & love!✌🏼❤️
What do these people tell their kids about these things? At a certain age these kids must know their fathers or mothers are bold face liars. Kids are smarter than you think.
Thank you for standing up for the senator. Stand up people! Speak up!
Tim & Sarah, Great work on MSNBC. If Republicans think this a winner then it's up to the American people to prove them wrong. Protest peacefully and vote wisely.
BW is the best thing that ever happened to MSNBC!
Sarah Longwell and Tim Miller are The Best. They are my go to for news. I also love JVL at The Bulwark. In The Next Level podcast, you get to hear from all three of them (and they don't always agree).
WHY IS NO ONE TALKING about what Noam said: that they would keep the military there until they “liberated” LA from duly elected mayor and governor??
I heard it. the whole thing was a shit show
Israel just attacked Iran. US soldiers are in danger. Let’s switch focus!
It's hard to wrap my head around what happened today. And there is no excuse for what happened. But after it happened, Noem had a choice. She could have apologized publicly and privately to Senator Padilla, made up some BS about it being a confusing situation, blah, blah, blah and how she was going to make sure her (private police force? guards? what?) received some additional training (about who knows what), etc. That would not have made the situation OK, but it would have at least shown she recognized that this was a horrible thing to do to the Senator. Or she could have doubled-down and lied. Of course, she took the latter path, insisting that Padilla "lunged" at her, he acted inappropriately, etc. And House Toadies, including Mike Johnson and Steve Scalise, quickly blamed Senator Padilla for what happened.
Israel just attacked Iran. US soldiers are in danger. Let’s switch focus!
Just ENRAGING!!!! Kristi Noem , puppy killer , is a DESPICABLE MAGA PO💩. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻KARMA
I'll say it again....this administration acts w/impunity because they all know they have pardons in their back pockets.
It's a regime.
... as if any criminal charges would be filed anyway ... (they won't)
The lies they are trying to spread saying he lunged at her.... and yelled... bro didn't even raise his dang voice.
It is complete insanity.
All evil begins with a lie.
What is it Orwell said? When they tell you not to believe your own eyes? The ability to spin a story to promote a point of view is gobsmacking. And the speaker then spins it that Padilla should be censured….? Wow. The threats and messages are escalating while the polls are dropping. No more Musk to take the hits.
That’s why the cell phone video is so helpful. I guarantee you they don’t have any video proving Noem’s story. In fact, for all they know, there’s a reporter who was there with even more video proving Noem is a liar. If so, I hope it comes out.
For sure! I just can't stand the fact that they will probably get away with the lies anyway, because people can't believe their own eyes anymore. It is a scary time.
Fuck off. Have you considered quitting this site and going to live in exile in Saudi Arabia, North Korea or Russia where you'll find a better match for your values?
Dude, chill out. This is not a forum for flame wars.
The question itself betrays utterly unacceptable values. And so does answering it on its own assumption.
You are now being just as obnoxious as the guys who threw Padilla to the ground. A simple question was asked. I wondered myself how these pressers work, do senators show up like that, etc. nobody is defending noem or the response.
I understand what you are asking. Ignore anyone like Joshua scholar who is being so angry and childish. There are plenty of people on here who will engage better.
You don't know what to say? SAY THOSE ARE NOT APPROPRIATE QUESTIONS! SAY THE ANSWERS DON'T MATTER.
TELL YOUR "FRIEND" TO FUCK OFF AND LEAVE.
Jackson. a US Senator has access to a Federal building and this so called press conference was not a closed activity.