Democrats demand action after handcuffing of Sen. Padilla by federal agents
Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!
ASKING FOR ACTION
Via David Lightman...
Congressional Democrats wrote to Republican leaders Monday seeking “swift and decisive action to uphold the dignity and authority of Congress’’ after last week’s incident involving Sen. Alex Padilla.
Padilla, a California Democrat, was forcibly removed from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s Los Angeles press conference as he tried to ask a question. Law enforcement officials handcuffed him but he was not charged or detained.
“The use of force against a sitting senator — in a federal building, during official business — is a grave breach of protocol. It is also a potential violation of separation of powers and raises alarming questions about the conduct of federal law enforcement agencies, the coordination of protective services, and the administration’s posture toward congressional oversight,” the letter said.
Its top signers were Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-New York, Congressional Hispanic Caucus chairman; Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif.; House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York. The letter was signed by 188 members of Congress.
The letter did not specify what action was being sought.
“If members of the United States Senate can be physically restrained for seeking answers from executive officials, it sets a dangerous precedent for the independence of the legislative branch. We look forward to your swift and decisive action to uphold the dignity and authority of Congress,” the letter said.
The letter was addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota.
Johnson said after the incident, “A sitting member of Congress should not act like that. It is beneath a member of Congress. It is beneath a U.S. Senator,” The Hill reported. Several members of Congress went to Thune’s office after the incident but he was not there.
On the Homeland Security X site, the agency said Padilla engaged in “disrespectful political theatre.”
“Mr. Padilla was told repeatedly to back away and did not comply with officers’ repeated commands. @SecretService thought he was an attacker and officers acted appropriately,” the tweet said.
NO SECRET POLICE
Via Molly Gibbs...
State Sens. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, and Jesse Arreguín, D-Berkeley, announced new legislation that would prohibit local, state and federal law enforcement officers from concealing their identities, using masks and other face coverings. The bill would also require officers to have their names or another identifier on their uniforms.
Wiener called the legislation important and timely, as law enforcement officers in Los Angles have been seen covering their faces, allowing them to remain largely anonymous.
“We’re seeing the rise of secret police — masked, no identifying info, even wearing army fatigues — grabbing & disappearing people,” he wrote on X.
At a press conference Monday, Wiener said the bill provides exceptions for masks to be worn out of medical necessity and in other special circumstances.
The RNC responded to the proposed legislation on X, saying it would help rioters dox and assault law enforcement officers.
Wiener said at the press conference that doxing is wrong and the bill’s aim is not to make it easier.
The senators also responded to questions about Saturday’s shooting of two Minnesota lawmakers. Political violence, Wiener said, is ramping up, which only makes the bill more important. If law enforcement officers are required to be identifiable, they said, it will be harder for bad actors to impersonate them.
CALIFORNIA NONPROFITS JOIN NATIONAL GRANT LAWSUIT
Via Rebecca-Ann Jattan...
A group of 17 state sexual assault and domestic violence coalitions on Monday filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration’s restrictions on grants issued by the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women.
The affected grants provide support for services for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. The coalition is seeking relief from the “unlawful restrictions” putting these services at risk.
The coalition cites President Trump’s executive orders to curb federal funding on certain diversity, equity and inclusion programs as harming the operations of grant recipients, especially in relation to vulnerable populations.
The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence and VALORUS, two California nonprofits in the nationwide coalition, affirmed their support for victims of violence in a joint statement.
“Instead of discriminating against survivors for their gender identity and immigration status, OVW grants should open the way to safety, healing and services for every one of the millions of Californians looking for help during the most dangerous and traumatic times of their lives,” said Krista Colón, executive director of the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence.
In the joint release, Colón said there is fear and uncertainty among advocates who now may be at risk of losing government funding if they fail to comply.
“By forcing providers to choose between certifying compliance with unlawful conditions or giving up federal funding needed to help keep their communities safe, the Trump administration is holding funding hostage in an effort to force service providers to bend to the administration’s anti-DEI, anti-immigrant, and anti-trans goals,” said Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward.
DEMOCRATS JOIN PROTESTERS
Via Molly Gibbs...
State and federal lawmakers joined tens of thousands of Californians participating in “No Kings” protests on Saturday.
Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Sacramento, State Sen. Angelique Ashby, D-Sacramento and Assemblymember Maggy Krell, D-Sacramento, attended the protest at the west steps of the Capitol. All three women spoke..
“Individuals from all walks of life, coming together — united in purpose. This is America at its best, and it’s their worst nightmare,” Matsui wrote on X.
Senate President pro Tem Mike McGuire, D-Santa Rosa and Rep. Mike Levin, D-San Juan Capistrano, attended protests with their families.
“Hundreds of thousands have peacefully taken to the streets in every corner of California this afternoon - millions more have mobilized across America - standing up for the country we love,” McGuire wrote on X.
Levin, who went to a protest in Dana Point, said it was the largest political rally he’s seen in south Orange County.
“I was proud to be there with my 80-year-old mom,” he said on X.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Your state’s homicide rate is 117% higher than California’s.”
— Gov. Gavin Newsom on X responding to Missouri Rep. Jason Smith
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