‘It’s time to wake up’: Padilla recounts being handcuffed at Noem briefing in emotional speech

California senator details being restrained and warns of how democratic norms can slip away when power is unchecked

Alex Padilla took to the Senate floor on Tuesday to deliver a deeply personal speech, formally entering into the congressional record his account of being restrained and forcibly removed as he attempted to ask a question at a press conference held by the homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, in Los Angeles last week.

In emotional remarks, Padilla described the encounter that he hoped would serve as a wake up call" for Americans - a warning, he said, of how quickly democratic norms can slip away when dissent is silenced and power is unchecked.