CNN national security analyst Josh Campbell defended Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and the actions of federal agents who forcibly removed Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) from a press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday, saying their response followed standard security protocol.
Speaking during an appearance on CNN’s “The Arena” with Kasie Hunt, Campbell, a former FBI special agent, broke down the incident and said the agents were justified in their initial efforts to escort Padilla out of the room after he loudly interrupted Noem.
“From a law enforcement perspective, we’re really looking at three separate incidents that happened within a short period of time,” Campbell said.
“First, you have the DHS secretary who was addressing the press. This was not a Q&A period, and she was interrupted. She was interrupted by someone who was speaking very loudly,” the CNN analyst told Hunt.
“And so her security detail confronts what we obviously now know to be the senator. And at that point, he is now going to be escorted out. You can’t interrupt something like that that’s already in progress without having those consequences.”
Campbell added that when Padilla resisted and turned back toward agents, the situation escalated.
“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… they realize this is not someone who is going to comply.”
However, Campbell did raise concerns about what happened next — when officers forced Padilla to the ground and handcuffed him outside the press room.
“There will be big questions raised about those kinds of tactics,” Campbell noted.
“Were there other options that were available to the federal agents… 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.”
Still, Campbell defended Noem, who has come under fire for 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 removed after interrupting Noem’s remarks on ongoing anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles.
As Noem accused California leaders of enabling lawlessness, Padilla stood up and shouted questions about her rhetoric.
“Hands off!” he shouted as security moved in. Video shows him resisting, identifying himself as a senator, and continuing to argue before being pushed outside and subdued.
Padilla later criticized the aggressive response, saying, “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.”
Noem countered on Fox News, saying Padilla “burst into the room,” “did not identify himself,” and was “lunging toward the podium” before being detained.
The Post has sought comment from DHS and Padilla.
