ICYMI: Luján Joins MSNBC to Defend Senator Padilla, Call Out GOP Silence and Demand Accountability

Santa Fe, N.M. — U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, joined MSNBC’s Ali Vitali to speak out forcefully in defense of his colleague and friend, Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), after the Senator was forcibly removed by federal agents at a press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Luján condemned the actions of Secretary Noem’s federal agents and the lies from the Trump administration that followed:

“The White House and anyone else saying they didn’t know who he was – that’s an absolute lie.”

Luján also took aim at House Speaker Mike Johnson for calling on the Senate to take action against Senator Padilla:

“Mike Johnson needs to worry about cleaning up his own House. The American people are going to flip the House. Mike Johnson is not going to be Speaker for much longer.”

Luján emphasized that what happened to Senator Padilla was not just an attack on one person, but part of a broader pattern of the Trump administration’s efforts to silence political opponents.

“What happened to Alex Padilla is an embarrassment to the United States. And yet, even after being treated this way, Senator Padilla called for peace. That’s who he is. That’s why people believe in him – and why people respect him. I just hope everyone else has the backbone to do what’s right.”

Luján also called on Secretary Noem to resign:

“Secretary Noem continues to lie about this incident. This is wrong. She should step down.”

A full clip of the interview is available HERE.

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