An open letter to the U.S. Congress

Condemn the Outrageous Assault on Senator Alex Padilla – Demand Accountability

47 so far! Help us get to 50 signers!

I am outraged and demand immediate action regarding the forcible removal and detention of Senator Alex Padilla during a press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles on June 12, 2025. Senator Padilla, while performing congressional oversight and listening to Secretary Noem’s press conference, attempted to ask a question, stating, "I am Sen. Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary". In response, he was physically pushed out of the room by several men, some in plainclothes and some identified as FBI officers. Video evidence shows Senator Padilla being taken into a hallway, pushed face-first onto the ground, and handcuffed by officers wearing FBI-identifying vests. This manhandling of a United States Senator is outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful. As Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated, it "sickened my stomach," and "we need immediate answers to what the hell went on". This disgraceful and disrespectful conduct of DHS agents demands our condemnation. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus has called this "unacceptable" and an "assault against a sitting US senator". I demand a full and immediate investigation into this incident, consequences for every official involved in this assault against a sitting U.S. Senator, and assurance that Senator Padilla's questions will be answered, and that he will not be silenced or intimidated. This alarming act against a duly elected representative performing his duties is an affront to our democratic processes. We stand with Senator Padilla and urge you to take immediate action to ensure accountability and prevent such abuses of power from ever happening again.

▶ Created on June 12 by John

Sign Petition

Already signed?

  • Promote this campaign to get it texted to potential signers
  • Share this page or image
    A shareable card that reads "tell the U.S. Congress: Condemn the Outrageous Assault on Senator Alex Padilla – Demand Accountability" followed by "text sign PIFSHR to 50409"
  • Text INVITE PIFSHR to ask your friends to sign via text or email
  • and post around campus or on your community bulletin board
  • Use the iOS app to share with your contacts
  • Join our Discord and connect with fellow organizers
  • Upgrade to Premium to unlock more features and make sure we can keep delivering
Share on BlueskyShare on TwitterShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare on WhatsAppShare on TumblrEmail with GmailEmail

Fund texts of this petition

Drive more letter deliveries by funding text appeals to users. Become a member to double your reach per dollar.