1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am writing to strongly condemn today’s unacceptable actions by Department of Homeland Security and federal agents toward Senator Alex Padilla. Video—and multiple credible news reports—confirm that during a press conference in Los Angeles on June 12, 2025, he was forcibly removed, handcuffed, and pinned to the ground while merely attempting to ask legitimate questions about ongoing immigration enforcement . A sitting U.S. Senator, recognized by self-identification, representing millions of constituents, was subjected to unnecessary violence. This is a direct affront to the democratic principles of congressional oversight, free inquiry, and the respectful treatment of duly elected officials . I also express deep concern about the broader context: the rapid federalization of the National Guard and deployment of Marines in Los Angeles, as well as militarized actions by DHS and ICE across the country. These measures threaten the constitutional balance between federal and state power, risk escalating tensions, and undermine public trust . I urge Congress to: 1. Demand a full public investigation into the June 12 incident, including DHS, Secret Service, and FBI conduct. 2. Reaffirm the right of Congressional inquiries and oversight, ensuring no elected official is met with force while performing their duties. 3. Exercise oversight and impose limits on future federal militarized deployments to ensure they are lawful, justified, and proportional. Today’s actions send chilling signals about abuse of power and authoritarian tendencies. Democratic oversight and civil liberties must be protected — forceful suppression of a Senator is unacceptable in our republic.