This is not what democracies do, Friend.

Senator Alex Padilla was fulfilling his duty as a United States Senator – asking critical questions about the administration’s alarming decision to deploy the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles.

He was then manhandled, violently tackled, and handcuffed by federal agents.

Watching this video made me sick to my stomach. It’s un-American.

The Trump administration has shown a disturbing pattern of targeting American citizens – including elected officials – for exercising their constitutional rights. This latest incident is a blatant abuse of power.

To make matters worse, the Department of Homeland Security’s statement about the incident was riddled with inaccuracies and outright lies.

We need answers, NOW. Join me in calling for an immediate investigation into Senator Padilla’s forcible removal.

Sincerely,

Chuck Schumer