The Interview (The New York Times)

Episode: Democrats Lost the Debate on Immigration. Unless You Ask Senator Alex Padilla.

Date: October 4, 2025
Host: Lulu Garcia-Navarro
Guest: Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA)

Overview

In this episode, Lulu Garcia-Navarro speaks with Senator Alex Padilla about California's heightened role in national debates on immigration, federalism, redistricting, and the future of the Democratic Party. The discussion is anchored by Padilla's recent, headline-grabbing removal and handcuffing at a press conference with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, reflecting escalating federal-state confrontations under President Trump’s second term. Padilla, the first Latino senator from California and the son of Mexican immigrants, reflects on growing up in LA, the legacy of Proposition 187, the Democrats' struggles and strategy on immigration, and California’s resistance to the current administration. The episode concludes with Padilla addressing rumors about his potential run for California governor.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Senator Padilla’s Confrontation with the Trump Administration

Timestamps: 03:38-10:46

• Incident Recap:
  Padilla describes being forcibly removed and briefly handcuffed during a June press conference with Secretary Noem, amidst the federal militarization of Los Angeles and mass ICE arrests.
  • “Never would I have imagined that that would have happened, that that would be a response to a question, especially to a senator…” (Padilla, 04:19)
• Rationale:
  Padilla’s attempt to question the Secretary regarding the justification for military presence and the indiscriminate ICE raids against nonviolent undocumented immigrants.
  • “They put three, four, five names up on a slideshow... but who are the dozens and dozens of others that have been detained, that have been arrested?” (Padilla, 06:46)
• Aftermath and Meaning:
  Padilla highlights the overreaction as a “canary in the coal mine” for how dissent is suppressed, warning about similar strategies being deployed nationwide.
  • "If that's how this administration would respond to a senator with a question, imagine... how they are treating so many other people when the cameras are not on." (Padilla, 08:50)

2. Personal Background and Political Awakening

Timestamps: 11:02-15:00

• Family Story:
  The son of Mexican immigrants, Padilla shares his parents’ journey and blue-collar labor, emphasizing the value placed on education over manual work.
  • “Hijo cando crezcas quiero que trabajes con tu mente y no con tu espalda.”
    ("I want you to work with your mind and not with your back.") (Padilla, 12:28)
• Path to Politics:
  Inspired by the cruelty of Prop 187 in 1994 (“the demonizing of immigrants... offensive and enraging”), Padilla forgoes an engineering career to become politically active.
  • "He was talking about my family, he was talking about my community." (Padilla, 14:02)
• Political Rise:
  Elected to LA’s City Council by age 26, part of a wave of Latino political engagement in the state.

3. Prop 187’s Legacy and Lessons for Democrats

Timestamps: 15:00-17:36

• Wake-Up Call:
  Prop 187, which passed but was struck down as unconstitutional, galvanized immigrant communities and fundamentally changed California’s electorate—turning the state solidly Democratic.
• On Cruelty and Popularity:
  Padilla stresses a lesson: what’s popular isn’t always constitutional; the Constitution prevailed.
  • "It was popular, it was deemed unconstitutional and what prevailed? The Constitution." (Padilla, 17:25)

4. The Immigration Debate—Where Democrats Stand

Timestamps: 17:36-26:53

• Policy vs Politics:
  Padilla argues both parties agree on the need for secure, humane borders and an updated immigration system. The real issue is what to do about those who have been living and working in the US for years.
  • “If you’re otherwise law abiding... they deserve an opportunity to come out of the shadows and take a step towards legal status.” (Padilla, 18:08)
• Latino Voters and Political Messaging:
  He disputes the size of the Latino swing to the right, suggesting lower turnout was a bigger factor and blaming "indiscriminate raids" and "cruelty" for alienating voters.
  • "Turnout was down this last election. So yes, Democrats have a lot of work to do... to re-engage a lot of voters that decided to sit it out." (Padilla, 20:22)
• Border Security Votes & Criticism:
  Padilla defends his vote against the bipartisan border bill lacking paths for dreamers or other reforms; maintains policy integrity over political expediency.
  • "On policy, I still stand by my vote because there was no recognition and no willingness to commit to some relief or assistance for Dreamers..." (Padilla, 23:42)
• Updating the System:
  Calls for investments in technology, more immigration judges, and faster asylum processing.
  • "To deal with [asylum] properly... we need more immigration judges. We need more hearing officers. We need more capacity in that system..." (Padilla, 26:53)

5. Current Fear in Immigrant Communities

Timestamps: 27:59-29:25

• Economic and Social Impact:
  Fear is widespread, affecting attendance at work, schools, and houses of worship due to raids everywhere—including hospitals and churches.
  • "Some workers are afraid to go to work. A lot of people are afraid to go out because these raids can take place anywhere..." (Padilla, 28:23)

6. California’s "No Secret Police Act" and Federal-State Tensions

Timestamps: 29:23-30:45

• Legality and Precedent:
  Padilla supports California’s requirement that federal officers not wear masks, arguing federal police should comply with local transparency rules as local and other federal officers do.
  • "Other federal law enforcement agencies are required to do so. State law enforcement agencies... So how is it that they can go about their law enforcement... and ICE doesn’t?" (Padilla, 29:55)

7. Dreamers, Bipartisanship, and Immigration Politics

Timestamps: 30:45-33:10

• Ongoing Frustrations:
  Despite bipartisan support for dreamers, Padilla blames Republican reluctance for legislative stagnation and vows continued advocacy.
  • "It is absolutely frustrating, but we’re going to keep pressing because those dreamers deserve nothing less…" (Padilla, 31:17)
• Leadership and Political Climate:
  Padilla claims Democratic leaders are becoming more outspoken as Trump-era enforcement becomes more aggressive.

[AD BREAK] (33:10-35:26) - Omitted

8. Redistricting and Hardball Politics

Timestamps: 35:26-38:05

• California’s Ballot Initiative (Prop 50):
  Designed to add Democratic seats, it’s California’s direct response to GOP-led gerrymandering in Texas and elsewhere.
  • "California would not normally do this, but the stakes are so high because of the damage ... California is fighting back. Absolutely." (Padilla, 36:20)
• On Political Gamesmanship: Calls for ideally independent redistricting, but supports playing “hardball” as Republicans have.
  • "Republicans are playing hardball and Democrats need to do the same." (Padilla, 38:05)

9. Government Shutdown and Democratic Strategy

Timestamps: 38:05-42:54

• Current Context:
  Looming shutdown over healthcare funding. Padilla cites repeated bad-faith negotiations and unilateral GOP budget cuts as drivers for Democratic resistance.
• On Leadership:
  Acknowledges Democratic frustrations but points to previous major policy successes under current leadership.
  • "It’s a lot harder to push for them from the position of being in the minority. But we are, and people need to see that." (Padilla, 41:39)
• Broader Democratic Strategy:
  Emphasizes litigation, local organizing, and the fight for measures like Prop 50.

10. California as a "Resistance State"

Timestamps: 42:54-44:21

• Federal Aid Concerns:
  Garcia-Navarro questions if California’s oppositional stance could affect disaster relief; Padilla insists such aid should not be politicized, citing bipartisan disaster relief as precedent.
  • "We should not politicize disaster aid, because that’s not good for California. It’s not good for Florida. It’s not good for the Carolinas..." (Padilla, 43:42)

11. Padilla’s Political Ambitions – The Governor Question

Timestamps: 44:21-46:22

• 2026 Gubernatorial Speculation:
  Padilla neither confirms nor denies a run, saying he’s considering how best to serve California and the nation.
  • "I’m just trying to think through where can I be most impactful, not just short term, but midterm and long term..." (Padilla, 44:57)
• Focus on Upcoming Measures:
  Prioritizes Prop 50 and current senatorial responsibilities over future announcements.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Vance’s Insult:
  "To call a Latino man Jose flippantly, that’s their way of trying to ridicule us... I turn it around because I know a lot of Joses are hard workers. So if that’s what you’re going to call me, then I’m going to wear it as a point of pride."
  (Padilla, 08:50)

• On Demographics and Democracy:
  "Huge numbers of people like [my parents] did that, fundamentally changing the electorate in California. And as a result, not just who our representatives are, but the political priorities and the political agenda at all levels."
  (Padilla, 16:56)

• On Redistricting:
  "I agree. Redistricting should be independent, should happen only once every 10 years after the census in all 50 states. That’s the ideal scenario. But that’s not what’s happening here..."
  (Padilla, 36:20)

• On Policy and Political Leverage:
  "Because the political leverage that I have, I am going to utilize to keep advancing the need to do better by dreamers, by farm workers, by essential workers more broadly..."
  (Padilla, 24:26)

• On California’s Role:
  “It’s not resistance for the sake of just resistance. It’s resistance because we know the bad policies, the harm that this administration is championing, but also the better path forward.”
  (Padilla, 43:42)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:38-10:46 — Padilla’s account of press conference incident and its implications
• 11:02-15:00 — Padilla’s family history and political origins
• 18:08-21:36 — Democrats’ position on immigration and lessons from recent elections
• 23:42-24:26 — Justification for voting against bipartisan border bill
• 27:59-29:25 — How mass raids are affecting communities in California
• 35:26-38:05 — Prop 50 and Padilla’s evolving stance on gerrymandering
• 44:21-46:22 — Speculation about Padilla’s run for governor

Conclusion

This episode offers both a personal and political portrait of Senator Alex Padilla at a pivotal moment for California and the nation. Padilla stands as a determined—if pragmatic—voice for immigrant rights, internal Democratic debate, and California’s defiant approach to the Trump administration’s policies. With issues of federalism, legislative strategy, and party identity in flux, Padilla asserts the importance of values-driven action—"not resistance for the sake of resistance"—while reflecting on the broader consequences for democracy and representation.

Listeners interested in political strategy, immigration reform, and the ongoing evolution of the Democratic Party will find Padilla’s perspective both candid and emblematic of the tensions shaping American politics today.