CNN security analyst says it wasn't Kristi Noem's fault agents restrained Alex Padilla at press briefing

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A dramatic clash at a federal press briefing has ignited fierce debate over security, protocol, and political conduct after California Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed for interrupting remarks by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

The incident, caught on video and widely circulated online, shows Padilla shouting from the audience and resisting attempts by federal agents to escort him out before being taken to the ground and handcuffed.

According to an FBI spokesperson, Padilla was deemed “disruptive” during the press event held at the FBI’s Los Angeles field office.

The agency confirmed that Secret Service agents, assigned to Noem’s protective detail, acted alongside FBI Police to contain the situation, reported Fox News.

CNN analyst defends Kristi Noem as video of Senator Alex Padilla's takedown draws scrutiny

CNN national security analyst and former FBI special agent Josh Campbell weighed in on the controversy during a Friday segment of 'The Arena' with Kasie Hunt, defending the response by Noem’s security team while acknowledging that some tactics may have crossed a line.

“I know we are in a politically charged climate, but from a law enforcement perspective, this was neither the fault nor the responsibility of DHS Secretary Noem,” Campbell explained.

“She’s in the middle of a press conference. There’s someone who interrupts and then makes it clear by his movements that he is not going to comply. He’s taken out. Again, I don’t think any of that was her responsibility.”

“First, you have the DHS secretary who was addressing the press. This was not a Q&A period, and she was interrupted,” the CNN analyst explained to Hunt. “She was interrupted by someone who was speaking very loudly.”

Secretary Noem was delivering a statement on federal immigration enforcement and ongoing unrest in Los Angeles when Padilla abruptly stood up and shouted criticism of the DHS policy.

Eyewitness video shows agents quickly intervening as Padilla resisted being escorted out, demanding to be heard and identifying himself only after the confrontation was well underway.

“You can’t interrupt something like that that’s already in progress without having consequences,” Campbell said, noting that protective teams are trained to act decisively when an unknown individual approaches a speaker.

Campbell further explained that things took a turn when Padilla resisted and moved back toward the officers, prompting an immediate response.

“The second incident, in my view, happens the moment — as officers are trying to lead him out — he then turns and walks back towards kind of into those agents,” Campbell said.

“At that point, from a security detail perspective, we’re taking this person out against their will. We’ve asked the person — and again, this is all happening very quickly — but the moment he then turns into them, they realize this is not someone who is going to comply.”

Security tactics questioned after Alex Padilla incident at Los Angeles press conference

Campbell expressed unease over how the situation unfolded once Padilla was removed from the press room particularly the moment officers brought him to the ground and placed him in handcuffs just outside.

“There will be big questions raised about those kinds of tactics,” Campbell said.

“Were there other options that were available to the federal agents as well — as the FBI police officer there — who is responsible for security in that FBI building? What they do is they actually order him to his knees and then quickly shove him down to the ground where he is then handcuffed. So again, you’re in a federal building, people are screened for weapons— him having a gun or some type of device like that would not be a concern… So there will be a big question about the tactics that were used,” he noted.

Even so, Campbell stood by Noem amid the backlash surrounding the incident.

“This was neither the fault nor the responsibility of DHS Secretary Noem,” he said. “She’s in the middle of a press conference… I don’t think any of that was her responsibility.”

Padilla was escorted out after disrupting Noem’s press conference, where she was addressing the unrest tied to anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles.

As she laid blame on California officials for fostering chaos, Padilla rose from his seat and challenged her remarks, raising his voice, “Hands off!” he yelled as security approached.

Reflecting on the incident later, Padilla condemned the force used against him. “If this is how the DHS responds to a senator with a question, you can only imagine what they are doing to farmworkers… throughout the country.”

Speaking on Fox News, Noem pushed back against criticism, claiming that Padilla “burst into the room,” failed to identify himself, and appeared to be “lunging toward the podium” before security intervened.