“Ejecting, throwing to the ground, and handcuffing U.S. Senator Alex Padilla for simply asking a question of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at a Los Angeles news conference today sends a chilling message that everyone risks being assaulted if we ask a question of any Trump administration leader. What happened today is un-American, undemocratic, and an assault on our first amendment rights. The moms of America will not let this stand.That kind of violence is never acceptable – not against a U.S. Senator, not against immigrant families at the hands of ICE, and not against any mom, child, or person.

“For months now, America’s moms have been horrified by the Trump administration’s cruel immigration tactics and plans to use funds taken from our health care to pay for even more cruelty, including more family separations, more human rights abuses, and more actions that terrify hard-working immigrant families. We are ashamed of the Trump administration each time masked ICE agents trample basic human rights, kidnap law-abiding people from streets and workplaces, tear families apart, put moms and children in danger, and ignore due process. Our nation needs a safe and orderly immigration process that balances compassion and security, NOT cruelty.

“Today, federal enforcers did what President Trump directed and is trying so hard to do – they further escalated national tensions and pitted us against one another – this time by attacking a  U.S. Senator who clearly identified himself and had every right to be in that room in a federal building. At the same time, the administration is outrageously prosecuting a U.S. House member for trying to fulfill her obligation to inspect a holding facility, as they also refuse entry to other members of Congress trying to do the same.

“We will redouble our vigorous, peaceful protests. We will not let the administration further divide us or stand by while they ignore our Constitution.We will continue to speak out, including against the Republican budget bill being debated in Congress that creates a slush fund for cruel family separation and harmful immigration policies by taking funding away from the health care programs that children and families depend on.”