CNN national security analyst Josh Campbell defended the homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and the actions of federal agents who forcibly removed Senate Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) From a press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday, saying their response followed the standard security protocol.
Speaking during an appearance on CNN’s “arena” with Kasie Hunt, Campbell, a former FBI special agent, destroyed the incident and said agents were justified in their initial efforts to accompany Padilla outside the room after he interrupted Noem.
“From a law enforcement point of view, we are really seeing three separate incidents that took place within a short period of time,” Campbell said.
“First, you have the secretary of the DHS who was addressing the press. This was not a period that & a, and it was interrupted. It was interrupted by someone who was talking aloud,” CNN analyst told Hunt.
“And so, her security details face what we undoubtedly now know how to be senator. And at that point, he will now be accompanied. You can’t interrupt something that is already in development without those consequences.”
Campbell added that when Padilla resisted and turned back to agents, the situation escalated.
“The second incident, in my opinion, happens the moment – as the officers are trying to remove it – he then turns and walks back to the type of those agents,” Campbell said.
“At that point, from a perspective of security details, we are removing this person against their will … They realize that this is not someone who will respect.”
However, Campbell raised concerns about what happened afterwards – when the officers forced the lawsuit on the ground and handcuffed it outside the press room.
“There will be great questions raised about those kinds of tactics,” Campbell noted.
“Were there any other options that were available to federal agents … what they do is that they actually order him on their knees and then quickly extinguishes it to the ground, where he is then handcuffed. So again, you are in a federal building, people are examined for weapons – he who has a weapon or any equipment like this will not have a concern …
However, Campbell defended Noem, who has set fire to the incident.
“This was neither the fault nor the responsibility of the secretary of Dhas Noem,” he said. “She’s in the middle of a press conference … I don’t think any of that was her responsibility.”
Padilla was removed after interrupting Noem’s remarks about the constant anti-acul riots in Los Angeles.
While Noem accused California leaders of enabling illegality, Padilla stood up and shouted questions about her rhetoric.
“Hands!” He shouted while security moved. The video shows that he resisted, identifying himself as a senator and continuing to argue before being pushed out and subjugated.
Padilla later criticized the aggressive response, saying, “If this is how DHS answers a senator with a question, you can only imagine what they are doing for farm workers … across the country.”
Noem objected to Fox News, saying that Padilla “exploded in the room”, “did not identify herself”, and was “losing towards the podium” before it was stopped.
The post has requested comment from DHS and Padilla.
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