Bass scolds former House colleague Noem after Padilla detainment: ‘I do not recognize you’ – Washington Examiner
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass publicly criticized Homeland Security Secretary kristi Noem following a heated incident during a press conference where Senator Alex Padilla attempted to raise concerns about Noem’s statements regarding Los Angeles being a “war zone.” Bass expressed that she no longer recognizes Noem, who she served alongside in Congress from 2011 until Noem became governor of South Dakota in 2019. The confrontation escalated when Padilla was forcibly removed from the event while trying to question noem. Following his detainment, padilla highlighted the management’s harsh treatment of individuals, suggesting that if a senator faced such a response, other Californians, like farmworkers and laborers, would also be affected. Although Noem initially did not acknowledge Padilla, she later claimed they had a 15-minute discussion after the incident. The situation has drawn attention to the tensions surrounding immigration policy and the administration’s approach to criticism.
Bass scolds former House colleague Noem after Padilla detainment: ‘I do not recognize you’
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said she no longer recognizes Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after a heated incident that saw Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) detained after he interrupted the secretary’s press conference Thursday.
Bass and Noem entered the House together in 2011 and served together until Noem left Congress to become the governor of South Dakota in 2019.
Bass blasted Noem for calling Los Angeles a “war zone,” calling it an “outright lie.” The mayor then said she could not recognize her former colleague.
“I served with the secretary for probably about 10 years in Congress, and Madam Secretary, I do not recognize you anymore,” Bass said. “I do not know the Kristi Noem that I served with for 10 years.”
Noem said earlier that the Department of Homeland Security was going to stay and “liberate” Los Angeles. “We’re going to stay here and build our operations until we make sure we liberate the city,” Noem said.
Bass questioned how Noem didn’t know who Padilla was.
“How could you say that you did not know who he was?” Bass asked.
Video showed Padilla approaching Noem as she was speaking, with security already wrestling with the senator as he began, “Madam Secretary, I want to know why you insist on exaggerating and embellishing—” before being pushed back toward the exit. Padilla can be seen resisting these efforts.
As security wrestled with the senator, who was still attempting to move in Noem’s direction, Padilla told them to take their hands off of him, identifying himself and saying he was there to ask questions before being pushed through the doors and into the hallway outside, where footage showed him being brought to the ground and cuffed.
Despite Padilla identifying himself, it is possible officials at the press conference either did not recognize the senator or hear him over Noem speaking.
Padilla responded to the detainment, suggesting the administration is also treating others harshly.
“If this is how this administration responds to a Senator with a question, you can only imagine what they’re doing to farmworkers, to cooks, and to day laborers throughout California and across the country. We will hold this administration accountable,” he posted on X.
Padilla later said he was escorted into the building and into the press conference.
Noem said she spoke to the senator for 15 minutes and exchanged phone numbers with him.
BASS RALLIES LA-AREA MAYORS TO CONDEMN ‘INHUMANE’ ICE RAIDS THAT IGNITED PROTESTS
“After he interrupted our press conference with law enforcement, I met with Senator Padilla for 15 minutes,” she posted on X. “We probably disagree on 90% of the topics but we agreed to exchange phone numbers and we will continue to talk — that is the way it should be in this country. I wish he would’ve acted that way in the beginning rather than creating a scene.”
Noem previously said she didn’t know who Padilla was initially.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Auto Amazon Links: Could not resolve the given unit type, . Please be sure to update the auto-insert definition if you have deleted the unit.