Bulwark Takes: Tim and Sarah React To Disturbing Video Of Sen. Padilla – June 13, 2025

In this compelling episode of Bulwark Takes, hosts Tim Miller and Sarah Longwell dissect and analyze the alarming incident involving Senator Alex Padilla being forcibly removed from a press conference by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The episode delves deep into the implications of this event on democratic norms, political discourse, and the behavior of government officials.

Incident Overview

The episode begins with Sarah Longwell introducing the shocking footage of Senator Alex Padilla being restrained during a press conference. The video, which quickly went viral, shows Padilla being handcuffed and placed on the ground while attempting to question Secretary Noem about immigration enforcement practices.

Sarah Longwell [02:00]:
"Right before I was about to go on Nicole, the story broke about Senator Alex Padilla getting, you know, grabbed, handcuffed, manhandled, put on the ground for, I guess, disrupting asking a question of Kristi Noem at her press conference. It is a wild and very disturbing video."

Detailed Breakdown of the Event

The hosts provide a timestamped account of the incident, highlighting the aggressive actions taken against Senator Padilla.

Transcript Highlights:

• [03:09] Alex Padilla:
  "I have questions for the secretary because the fact of the matter is a half a dozen violent criminals that you're rotating on your."

• [03:34] Sarah Longwell:
  "On the ground. On the ground. Hands behind your back."

These excerpts emphasize the severity and unusual nature of the treatment Padilla received, which is not typical behavior towards a sitting senator in a democratic society.

Political and Democratic Implications

Sarah and Tim delve into the broader implications of this incident, questioning what it signifies about the current state of political interactions and respect for democratic processes.

Sarah Longwell [07:54]:
"Being disrespectful is not a reason to handcuff somebody on the ground. It's just not. Not even a U.S. senator."

Tim Miller adds context by comparing this incident to past political confrontations, noting that physical altercations of this nature are unprecedented in U.S. politics.

Tim Miller [10:00]:
"I've been a press flack who has been trying to manage a press conference when other people have disrupted it. And I've been a disruptor of press conferences, believe it or not. And in none of those occasions were anybody touched. You know, nobody was certainly nobody is thrown to the ground."

Critique of Homeland Security’s Actions

The discussion shifts to the role of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its recent actions concerning immigration enforcement. Tim criticizes DHS for overstepping and acting lawlessly, citing racial targeting and harassment of legal residents.

Tim Miller [10:00]:
"The DHS is acting lawlessly. This is not a one-off thing where there are three random cops who roughed up Padilla and maybe they were acting inappropriately. This is DHS's MO."

Kristi Noem’s Response and Accountability

Sarah scrutinizes Secretary Noem’s response to the incident, condemning her for not intervening appropriately and highlighting the lack of accountability demonstrated by her actions post-incident.

Sarah Longwell [13:20]:
"It's because the ethos of, of this administration to treat people not as colleagues but as enemies."

They also reference Republican Speaker Mike Johnson’s remarks, which Sarah interprets as insufficient and indicative of broader issues within the party's handling of the situation.

Mike Johnson [16:02]:
"I think it merits immediate attention by their colleagues over there and that they. I think that that behavior, at a minimum, is it rises to the level of a censure."

Republican Party’s Stance and Future Implications

The hosts critique the Republican Party's response, suggesting that some within the party may be using such incidents to further political agendas rather than uphold democratic standards.

Tim Miller [16:36]:
"They're trying to instigate it because they think it's a political winner for them. And that goes back to what you and Ben were talking about about propaganda earlier and why they're replaying the same videos over and over again of some legitimately bad things that some folks are doing, but they're trying to blow it out of proportion."

Call for Unity and Protection of Democratic Norms

Both hosts emphasize the need for Republican lawmakers to defend the treatment of Senator Padilla to preserve the integrity of democratic institutions.

Sarah Longwell [15:47]:
"Republican senators should be very careful on this right now. If they do not come out and defend Senator Padilla's right to ask questions of this administration, of his colleagues, they are setting an extraordinarily dangerous precedent for how senators are going to be treated in this country."

Conclusion and Future Outlook

The episode wraps up with a consensus that the incident involving Senator Padilla is a critical test for American democracy and the behavior of its elected officials. The hosts call for accountability, respect, and adherence to democratic principles to prevent such incidents from becoming normalized.

Sarah Longwell [09:57]:
"They should protect their own institution. They should have an interest in their office being protected from this kind of behavior because they're all going to want to ask questions at some point, accountability questions of their leadership."

Tim Miller [18:14]:
(Closing remarks summarizing the need for better conduct and the preservation of democratic norms.)

This episode of Bulwark Takes serves as a critical examination of the disturbing event involving Senator Padilla, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and respect within political discourse. Through in-depth analysis and sharp commentary, Tim Miller and Sarah Longwell provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the incident's significance and its broader implications for American democracy.