FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: [email protected]
06/12/25
WASHINGTON – Chair of the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State Cisco Aguilar issued the following statement today in response to the unlawful harassment and detention of U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) during a press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles:
“The forcible removal and handcuffing of Senator Alex Padilla is an egregious violation of democratic norms and an assault on the fundamental right to free speech. This act of intimidation against a sitting U.S. Senator conducting his constitutional duty of oversight is unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest terms.
“As Secretaries of State, we work tirelessly to protect election workers from harassment and threats, recognizing that our democracy depends on the safety and security of those who serve it. This incident underscores the urgent need to safeguard all public officials from unlawful interference and intimidation.”