That above quote from Arizona Democratic Senate Director of Communications Calli Jones says it all.
Today, in a public press conference, California Senator Alex Padilla, in attempting to ask Homeland Secretary/Dog Killer/Habeas Corpus Illiterate Kristi Noem a question, was assaulted and handcuffed by F.B.I. officials after identifying himself.
Noem and Speaker Mike Johnson have already lied about the situation saying that he Senator did not identify himself and he was going to charge her.
Watch this video below. There is no charging. He was nowhere near her. It is astounding that Noem did not recognize him. Maybe not so astounding given Noem’s apparent lack of knowledge what habeas corpus is.
In remarks similar to Ms. Jones. Senator Padilla, after speaking with Noem, said outside the building he was briefly detained in, said:
“If this is how the Department of Homeland Security responds to a senator with a question…I can only imagine what they’re doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers, in Los Angeles & throughout California & the country.”
Arizona’s Democratic Leaders were understandably furious at what happened to California Senator Padilla.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes posted:
“Tackling and detaining a US Senator is an outrageous and violent abuse of power. It is unacceptable in the United States of America. This administration’s unlawful and unconstitutional behavior is out of control.”
Tuscon Mayor Regina Romero commented:
“The nerve to tackle and detain a SITTING US SENATOR- is absolutely outrageous. Just another example of Trump’s authoritarian government. This must stop.”
Arizona House Congressional District Three Representative Yassamin Ansari issued several posts on what happened, including:
“Videos of Senator Alex Padilla being violently removed and then forcibly detained while simply trying to speak at a press conference are completely bone-chilling. This is the Trump Administration’s authoritarian security force in action–shoving a SITTING SENATOR to the ground.”
“Now @DHSgov claims Senator Padilla didn’t identify himself, & that he was acting “disrespectful”, as though that could EVER be cause for assault or arrest. Every American should watch the many videos out there. The Senator announces himself and is immediately manhandled.”
“Trump’s authoritarian security forces’ attack on a sitting U.S. Senator is one of his most deranged abuses of power yet. Today, my colleagues and I stood in solidarity with the CA delegation, @senpadilla and @HispanicCaucus. We demanded answers in the U.S. Capitol.”
Ansari and other Representatives went to Speaker Johnsons office after his lies about the situation, demanding to know what law Padilla broke.
Representative Greg Stanton issued two posts. The first from the New Democrat Coalition reads:
“This is shameful. Senator Padilla was merely asking a question on behalf of his constituents. The use of physical violence to silence speech from any American, not to mention an elected official, is indefensible.”
The second, from Stanton himself, states:
“A president who has to forcibly silence anyone asking questions isn’t showing strength. He’s showing how weak he really is.“
Senator Mark Kelly offered:
“What the hell are they doing putting their hands on a U.S. senator like this? @SenAlexPadilla was trying to ask a question in his own state to keep his constituents safe, and this Administration shoved him, pinned him down, and handcuffed him for it.”
“It’s outrageous. If this is how they handle a senator they disagree with, imagine how they’re treating everyday citizens when the cameras aren’t rolling.”
Senator Ruben Gallego stated:
“They shoved, pinned, and handcuffed @SenAlexPadilla —for asking a question to protect his community. A sitting U.S. Senator. This isn’t public safety—it’s raw abuse of power and unacceptable.”
Arizona State Senator Analise Ortiz posted:
Arizona State Representative Consuelo Hernandez posted:
“I am no longer shocked about what I have seen as a directive from this administration. It is clear this sends a message NO ONE is safe. Everyone deserves due process that’s what happens in the US. As electeds our job is to ask questions. We must look after one another, and hold this administration accountable. This is not the America I know. This sets a dangerous precedent.”
Her brother, Congressional District Seven House Candidate Daniel Hernandez wrote:
“This is what authoritarianism looks like. This is what dictators try to do: shut down their political opponents. If Trump and his MAGA minions can do this to a sitting senator, what do you think they will do to you?”
Fellow CD Seven House Candidate Adelita Grijalva relayed:
“Not even a U.S. Senator is safe from this administration’s authoritarian agenda to silence dissent and spread fear in our communities.”
Arizona Congressional District One Candidate Marlene Galán Woods conveyed:
“The aggressive detaining of U.S. Senator Alex Padilla should strike fear in the hearts of everyone. If this is how this regime reacts to a senator, how do you think they’ll treat you when you exercise your First Amendment rights? Republicans need to grow a spine & call this shit out.”
Arizona Congressional District Six Candidate JoAnna Mendoza released this video, condemning what happened to Senator Padilla and calling for Noem to resign.
Arizona Legislative District 27 Democratic House Candidate Deborah Howard commented:
“Today is a really good day for every America to recall the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights provides us with … the freedom of speech, freedom of the press; the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Clearly, California Senator Alex Padilla was well within his rights as a citizen to be present at that press conference in a federal building. And to ask a question. The episode simply illuminates the Trump regime’s single response to any criticism: escalating brute force. It is the response of bullies. Security personnel in the room acted inappropriately.
“For those joining a “No Kings Day” rally on Saturday: Keep your wits about you. Stay calm and peaceful. If agitators provoke you, leave. Stay safe.”
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The Democrats in the Senate need to launch an investigation and demand the resignation of Kristi Noem. They need to raise all kinds of hell and not just let it go with disapproving comments. Get after these Trump sycophant monsters before these attacks on elected representatives become the norm.