EMILYs List Statement on DHS Assault Against U.S. Senator Alex Padilla
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (CA) was forced to the ground and handcuffed at a press conference while attempting to question Department of Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem about the dangerous use of military force against communities in Los Angeles. This comes on the heels of Donald Trump allies indicting U.S. Rep LaMonica McIver on federal charges for fulfilling her oversight duties at an immigration detention center in her district.
EMILYs List President Jessica Mackler released the following statement in response:
“The Trump administration will brutally retaliate against any American who speaks out against him — and actions like today’s show us just how far they will go. Whether it’s targeting Rep. LaMonica McIver for defending her constituents or physically assaulting and handcuffing Sen. Padilla, the actions of this administration are a grave abuse of power.
“This is an alarming escalation in the Trump administration’s continued efforts to target political opponents who refuse to fall in line. If they will do this to a Senator, they will do it to anyone. We stand with Sen. Padilla, Rep. LaMonica McIver, and public servants across the country who took an oath to fight for the American people, not bow down to Donald Trump.”
# # #
EMILYs List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, works to elect Democratic pro-choice women up and down the ballot and across the country with a goal of fighting for our rights and our communities. Over 40 years, EMILYs List has raised nearly $950 million to help Democratic women win competitive elections by recruiting and training candidates, supporting and helping build strong campaigns, researching the issues that impact women and families, running one of the most impactful independent expenditure operations for Democrats, and turning out women voters to the polls. Since our founding in 1985, we have helped elect the country’s first woman as vice president, 192 women to the House, 29 to the Senate, 20 governors, and over 1,600 women to state and local office. More than 40% of the candidates EMILYs List has helped elect to Congress have been women of color. Visit www.emilyslist.org for more information.
