During a news conference held by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem in Los Angeles on Thursday, California Sen. Alex Padilla was forcibly removed by federal agents after entering the press briefing and attempting to ask Noem a question. He was later forced to the ground and handcuffed, but was not detained.
At his own press conference afterwards, Padilla said he “was there peacefully” and attended Noem’s briefing to gather more information from Homeland Security after receiving no response to his inquiries about the department’s immigration enforcement efforts.
- Padilla: “If this is how the Department of Homeland Security responds to a senator with a question, you can only imagine what they’re doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers…”
In an interview with Fox News, Noem said Padilla acted “completely inappropriate” because he did not identify himself, bursted into the room, shouted and lunged toward the podium — adding that “perhaps he wanted the scene.”
Democratic leaders were swift to condemn the administration’s actions: Gov. Gavin Newsom said the incident was “outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful.” In remarks on the Senate floor, fellow California Sen. Adam Schiff asked, “What is becoming of our democracy? Are there no limits to what this administration will do? Is there no line they will not cross?”
Meanwhile, Republicans defended the administration. GOP Assemblymember Joe Patterson of Rocklin said if he “busted into” a Newsom or Padilla news conference, “the same exact thing would happen to me.”
It’s been nearly a week since President Donald Trump deployed National Guard troops and U.S. Marines in L.A., following clashes between local police and demonstrators protesting against immigration raids in the city.
Because Trump mobilized troops without the consent of state leaders, California filed a lawsuit to direct Trump to rescind his orders. On Thursday a federal judge in San Francisco ruled that Trump’s “actions were illegal,” and halted the president’s deployment. The ruling is scheduled to take effect today at noon and last until June 20. The federal administration is appealing the ruling.
Read more about the Padilla incident from CalMatters’ Jeanne Kuang and Nigel Duara, and about the court ruling from CalMatters’ Mikhail Zinshteyn and Ben Christopher.
Lawsuit tracker: CalMatters is tracking the lawsuits California is filing against the Trump administration. Check it out here.
Honoring Walters: Join CalMatters columnist Dan Walters and the Sacramento Press Club on June 17 in Sacramento to celebrate Walters’ 50 years covering the Capitol and California politics. He will discuss his expansive career with his longtime editor at The Sacramento Bee, Amy Chance. Register today.
Other Stories You Should Know
State Farm in the hot seat
After receiving approval last month to temporarily increase rates following the deadly January wildfires in L.A. County, California’s largest insurer is now under state investigation.
California’s Insurance Department said Thursday it is officially investigating State Farm to determine whether the company is properly handling claims from the L.A.-area fires. For months wildfire survivors reported delays in payments; failure to get reimbursed for smoke damage; and difficulty getting timely responses from their claims adjusters.
- Ricardo Lara, California Insurance Commissioner: “No one should be left in uncertainty, forced to fight for what they are owed, or face endless delays that often lead consumers to give up.”
As part of the investigation, the department is urging State Farm customers to keep submitting complaints. The probe is expected to last several months and the insurer is cooperating with the investigation.
- Sevag Sarkissian, State Farm spokesperson: “A fair review will find that thousands of State Farm customers are being helped by our teams … and are very satisfied.”
Trump blocks CA’s electric vehicle phaseout
From CalMatters’ environmental team:
Trump on Thursday signed three measures that block California’s mandates to phase out gas-powered cars and clean up diesel trucks. And California immediately struck back with a lawsuit and a vow to continue setting standards.
The move by Trump and Congress deals a substantial blow to the state’s aggressive transition to electric vehicles and could upend its decades-long authority to clean up its air pollution, which is the worst in the nation.
- Trump, at the White House: “We officially rescue the U.S. auto industry from destruction by terminating California’s electric vehicle mandate. And they’re never coming back.”
Last month, Congress used the Congressional Review Act to revoke three waivers that the Biden administration granted to California. Trump’s signing makes that official. The dispute between California, the Trump administration and Congress highlights the growing political division over electric vehicles and air pollution policy.
Many legal experts say that Congress has no authority to revoke the waivers. California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed suit, along with 10 other states, arguing that it’s an unlawful use of the review act.
- Bonta, in a statement: “The President is busy playing partisan games with lives on the line and yanking away good jobs that would bolster the economy — ignoring that these actions have life or death consequences for California communities breathing dirty, toxic air.”
Newsom also issued an executive order Thursday, directing the Air Resources Board to craft another mandate for cars and trucks, and to create a list of automakers and truck makers that are following California’s emissions rules.
Because of its highly polluted air, Congress gave California the power to set its own, more stringent vehicle standards in the 1967 Clean Air Act. Before now, the federal government has never blocked any of California’s dozens of rules.
And lastly: CA police shares license plate info with ICE
Under state law, California law enforcement is prohibited from sharing license plate reader information with federal authorities. But southern California law enforcement agencies have repeatedly broken that rule, handing over data with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol. Find out more from CalMatters’ Khari Johnson
California Voices
CalMatters columnist Dan Walters: California’s homelessness crisis will persist until state and local governments can combine their resources effectively, instead of operating in political silos.
CalMatters contributor Pedro Rios: In the face of agents from ICE and other federal agencies, Californians are showing courage and pushing back against the federal administration.
Other things worth your time:
Troops and marines deeply troubled by LA deployment: ‘Morale is not great’ // The Guardian
Trump administration moves to abolish CA’s two newest national monuments // San Francisco Chronicle
Poll: Californians ‘pessimistic’ on economy, oppose Trump, but favor federal government cuts // The Mercury News
CA’s massive dam removal hit a key milestone. Now, there’s a problem // San Francisco Chronicle
Feds detain two Palestinians at SFO, visiting US for interfaith gathering // KQED
Central Valley agriculture braces for ICE raids as harvests approach // The Fresno Bee
Families arrested in LA ICE raids held in basements with little food or water, lawyers say // The Guardian
Fears of ICE raids upend life in LA County, from schools to Home Depot parking lots // Los Angeles Times
Students showed resilience as schools recovered from LA fires // EdSource
ICE reportedly heading to Irvine, as councilmember encourages undocumented people to stay home // The Orange County Register