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Column: Padilla was right to challenge Noem’s right-wing lunacy

Senator Alex Padilla had heard everything he could stand from Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem. There is a good reason. She sounded like a military dictator and was blasting off California voters.

So the California Senator stopped her. He tried to ask a question – and was pushed out of the room by a federal bodyguard, and handcuffed with strong arms on the floor.

Is this the way the Trump administration “makes America great again”?

The unprecedented act of disrespect and devastation of US senators occurred at a Westwood Federal building at a NOEM press conference on Thursday. Padilla, a Democrat, stood behind reporters when federal agents said they would carry out immigrant raids in Los Angeles indefinitely.

“[We’ll] We continue to maintain and increase our operations in this city,” Noem said.

“We haven’t disappeared,” she emphasized. “We are here to free the city from the socialist and burdensome leadership that this governor and this mayor put in this country.”

Definitely fight against words.

Do you want to “liberate” the city? It is the kind of language used by dictators – fascist, communist, or third world tyrant.

“Socialist” leadership? A light-jourish straight line from the right-wing playbook of political story points.

Did Noem say the Trump administration’s real goal is to overthrow Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass because of their “burdened” regime?

Perhaps the secretary has forgotten what he was taught in the civic class.

Gnomes speak without thinking

However, Noem, 53, was governor of South Dakota. Prior to that, she was a member of the US House of Representatives and a member of the state legislature. She knows the election process. And we can conclude at her press conference that she was speaking without thinking.

This is because in America, the “liberator” is the voter. Not an immigration agent, a cabinet secretary, or even a president.

Californians were re-elected the newspaper in 2022 with a 59% landslide vote. The Democrats are policies set by voters next year and policies set by some federal administrations.

Bass was selected in 2022 with a margin of nearly 10% points. If Angelenos wants to free herself from her, they will have the opportunity when they stand up for reelection next year.

Socialists are a very tired feature of virtually any policy that political rights do not like. Socialism can be tagged on many government spending, such as Social Security and Medicare.

Anyway, Padilla heard Noem’s stupid comments about liberating citizens from the governor and mayor, but he later said in a TV interview, “It’s just too much.”

He broke with the question he cried out.

OK, he shouldn’t have done it. Formal newspaper conferences have protocols. Only the reporters will ask questions. Certainly he hasn’t visited any politicians. And the questioner says that, while that happens, the person should not actually be interrupted in the lecture.

This was not a Senate committee hearing where Padilla could ask anything he wanted. As his Democratic colleagues later argued, he “was not at work” at Noem’s events. He was there as an observer. If he wanted to ask the secretary a question, this was not a time or place.

It’s wrong but understandable

However, he was completely understandable in his emotional response to Noem’s comments.

Padilla is usually a very polite man, an extraordinary citizen, a gentle and gentle talk, the opposite of aggressive loudmouth.

However, he is passionate about immigrant rights and the causes of comprehensive reform that provide a path to citizenship for undocumented people. That’s what prompted him to enter politics.

He was motivated by the Latino activist fight against Proposition 187 in 1994. This would have denied most public services to the immigrants living here if they hadn’t been tossed out by the judge.

Padilla, 52, is a proud Reinative, the son of a Mexican immigrant. His dad was a short cook, and his mom cleaned the homes of wealthy people. He graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a degree in mechanical engineering. However, he caught a political bug and was elected to LA City Council at the age of 26.

He was then elected to the state Senate and Secretary of State. He eventually became California’s first Latino US Senator.

On Thursday, lawmakers were in the federal building to meet the general. He heard that Norm was holding a press conference and was asked to attend and had been escorted.

Padilla repeatedly declared after being forced to the ground by federal agents he deemed a security threat.

White House communications director Stephen Chang claimed that Padilla acted like “a complete madman… hurrying towards the secretary of Gnome.” Noem said he “camped” at her.

It’s wrong. The video recording disproves this.

The federal bodyguard claimed that Padilla had not identified herself. More bulls. They just didn’t listen.

“Hands off! I’m Senator Alex Padilla,” I’ve heard he repeats it several times on the recording.

Federal agents turned to Padilla’s staff recording the unfortunate incident and said “According to the rights of the FBI, no records are permitted here.”

sorry. If a senator attempting to exercise his rights has a right that cannot be stacked, it should be abolished.

The Trump administration has done something other stupid. Padilla has come out of the hero.

What else should I read?

Must see: “Protest is patriotic” demonstrations across LA over ice sweep, President Trump
TK: Will mom be detained? Is your dad going to work? Answer big questions from children during an ice attack
Rimes Special: Voice from the attack: How family members deal with the sudden anxiety of loved ones

Until next week,
George Skeleton


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