Veterans Demand Accountability for Senator Padilla’s Forcible Removable
The senator was met with unnecessary and aggressive force by federal law enforcement for attempting to ask questions — that’s not how democracy works.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Common Defense, the nation’s largest veteran-led grassroots organization, firmly condemns the violent and unjust treatment of U.S. Senator Alex Padilla during a press conference in Los Angeles today. The aggressive manhandling and forcible removal of a sitting senator, captured in disturbing footage circulating on social media, is a blatant assault on democratic principles and the dignity of public service. This incident, occurring amidst heightened political tensions, reflects a dangerous escalation of authoritarian tactics that threaten the very freedoms we, as veterans, have sworn to uphold.
“Senator Padilla was doing his job by peacefully engaging with the Trump administration and demanding accountability for the chaos it’s currently causing in Los Angeles. The senator was met with unnecessary and aggressive force by federal law enforcement for attempting to ask questions — that’s not how democracy works. When elected officials are targeted for speaking out, it’s not just an attack on them, it’s a message to all of us, especially to the communities that have always borne the weight of state violence,” said Oscar Arbulu, California resident and Common Defense member “This wasn’t about public safety. It was a deliberate show of force by DHS, a clear signal that they see themselves as operating outside the bounds of accountability. The ongoing use of our nation’s military force against civilians makes it even more clear: this is not law and order—it’s authoritarianism. Veterans have seen tactics like this before in dictatorships around the world we fought against and we will not stay silent as these acts occur. Common Defense demands that DHS issue a public apology to Senator Padilla and be held accountable for its abuse of power.”
We call on the Trump administration to immediately provide a full, transparent explanation of this incident and to hold accountable those responsible for this egregious overreach. Furthermore, we urge Congress to investigate the use of force against Senator Padilla and to reaffirm protections for public officials exercising their oversight roles. As veterans, we have seen the cost of unchecked power overseas, and we refuse to let it take root here at home.
Common Defense stands in solidarity with Senator Padilla and all those who champion an equitable democracy. We will continue to organize, mobilize, and fight against the rising tide of hate, violence, and authoritarianism that this incident represents. The American people deserve better, and we will not rest until justice is served.
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Common Defense Civic Engagement is a grassroots, veteran-led organization (501c4) that was founded in 2016. We empower veterans to stand up for our communities against the rising tide of racism, hate, and violence, to organize against the entrenched powers that have rigged our economy, and to champion an equitable and representative democracy, where “liberty and justice” truly is for all. For too long, politicians from both political parties have attempted to use veterans as unwilling political props, and Common Defense serves as a home for veterans to organize and speak for themselves and support the candidates who truly share our values.