Senator Alex Padilla Responds to Trump Attack on California

Summary

Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast - "Senator Alex Padilla Responds to Trump Attack on California"

Release Date: June 9, 2025
Host: MeidasTouch Network
Guests: Senator Alex Padilla

---

Introduction

In this episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, hosts Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas delve into the recent political tensions between former President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom. The focal point of the discussion is Trump’s public calls for the arrest of Newsom and the broader implications of these actions on California’s communities, particularly immigrant populations. The episode features a compelling interview with California Senator Alex Padilla, who provides an in-depth analysis of the situation, drawing from his personal experiences and political expertise.

---

Trump’s Attack on Governor Gavin Newsom

The episode begins with the hosts highlighting a heated exchange where Donald Trump publicly called for the arrest of California Governor Gavin Newsom. The discussion references a specific incident where Trump directed his ire towards Newsom, claiming that California was suffering due to Newsom's administration.

Notable Quote:

"Gavin likes to publicity, but I think it's utterly despicable."
— Donald Trump [03:39]

This statement sets the stage for the hosts' exploration of the escalating political tensions and the potential motivations behind Trump's aggressive rhetoric.

---

Senator Alex Padilla’s Response

Senator Alex Padilla offers a robust critique of Trump’s actions, framing them within the context of undermining democratic principles and targeting immigrant communities. Padilla emphasizes the personal impact of these political maneuvers, especially as a native of Los Angeles and the son of immigrants.

Personal Impact and Political Stakes

Padilla shares his personal connection to the issue, stating:

"This is actually very personal for me. This is a crisis of Donald Trump's own making when you have the Department of Homeland Security using increasingly cruel and aggressive tactics for immigration enforcement."
— Alex Padilla [04:14]

He underscores the detrimental effects of Trump's policies on due process and immigrant rights, highlighting the contrast between Trump's campaign promises and his administration's actions.

Defense of Peaceful Protests

Addressing the nature of protests in Los Angeles, Padilla distinguishes between peaceful demonstrators and those engaged in vandalism:

"The vast majority of folks are peacefully and righteously protesting. And as the folks that are involved with the vandalism, that's not helpful, has no place in this protest or anywhere else."
— Alex Padilla [05:46]

He advocates for maintaining the focus on advocating for immigrants' rights amidst distractions created by violent disruptions.

Rights and Due Process for Immigrants

Padilla emphasizes the importance of recognizing and upholding the rights of all individuals, regardless of their immigration status:

"Regardless of your immigration status, you do have due process rights. If you are approached by an ICE officer or federal agent, you are not forced to respond to their questions."
— Alex Padilla [06:46]

He encourages individuals to be aware of their legal rights and to seek legal counsel when necessary, countering the narrative that Trump’s policies target only criminals.

---

Impact on Immigrant Communities

The discussion shifts to the real-world implications of Trump’s immigration policies on immigrant families in California. Padilla recounts personal stories, including the fear experienced by immigrant families during ICE raids.

Personal Anecdotes and Community Impact

Padilla relates his own family's history and the broader demographic contributions of immigrants to California:

"California is the most diverse state in the nation, home to more immigrants than any state in the nation. Mostly documented, yes, some undocumented. But California is also the largest economy of any other state in the nation, by far the fourth largest economy in the world, not despite its immigrant population, but thanks to the contribution of the immigrant community as workforce, as consumers, as entrepreneurs."
— Alex Padilla [10:07]

He argues that immigrants are integral to California’s economic strength and societal diversity, challenging Trump’s rhetoric that paints immigrants as burdens.

Weaponization of the Department of Justice

Padilla criticizes the current administration's use of the Department of Justice to target union leaders and peaceful activists:

"We are seeing the weaponization of the Department of Justice as well, and trying to make example of a union leader like David Huerta."
— Alex Padilla [09:40]

He highlights the case of David Huerta, a US citizen and union leader, as an example of how the DOJ is being used to intimidate and suppress advocacy within communities.

---

Historical Context and Future Implications

Padilla provides historical context, drawing parallels between past and present anti-immigrant sentiments in California. He references Proposition 187 from 1994 as a precursor to current policies, emphasizing the long-standing nature of such rhetoric.

"That was, to me personally, offensive and insulting so much that I left an engineering career behind to get involved in politics, to commit to public service."
— Alex Padilla [10:07]

He calls for resilience and continued advocacy to build a more inclusive and equitable future, leveraging California’s diversity as a strength rather than a point of contention.

---

Conclusion and Call to Action

As the episode wraps up, Padilla urges listeners to remain vigilant and active in protecting democratic values and immigrant rights. He stresses the importance of legislative action and community organization to counteract the administration's overreach.

"Let's not let them get away with it."
— Alex Padilla [13:52]

The hosts conclude by emphasizing the need for continued support and advocacy, aligning with the podcast’s mission to uphold democracy through informed and passionate discourse.

---

Final Thoughts

This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast offers a thorough examination of the fraught relationship between political leadership and immigrant communities in California. Through Senator Alex Padilla’s insightful commentary, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by immigrants, the misuse of governmental power, and the critical need for sustained advocacy to protect fundamental rights and democratic integrity.

---

Subscribe to The MeidasTouch Podcast for more insightful discussions and updates on pressing political issues. Stay informed and join the conversation to support democracy and community resilience.

Transcript

[Shopify Advertiser]

Running a business comes with a lot of what ifs, but luckily there's a simple answer to Shopify. It's the commerce platform behind millions of businesses, including Thrive Cosmetics and Momofuku, and it'll help you with everything you need. From website design and marketing to boosting sales and expanding operations. Shopify can get the job done and make your dream a reality. Turn those what ifs into Sign up for your $1 per month [e-mail] specialoffer.

[Alex Padilla]

It'S a real privilege to be able to travel and to see different places, taking yourself out comfortable positions and challenging yourself. No one builds a legacy by standing still.

[News Anchor]

Start your [e-mail].

[Mantis X Advertiser]

Want to sharpen your aim? Save money on ammo and train like the pros, all from the comfort of your home. Meet Mantis X, the cutting edge dry fire training system used by the Marine Corps, army and Special Forces to build precision and confidence. 94% of shooters report improved accuracy in just 20 minutes and you could be next. With Mantis X, you train with your own firearm anytime, anywhere without wasting a single round in less than two weeks. The system pays for itself in ammo savings alone. As a proud gun owner, I believe in the Second Amendment. But rights come with responsibility. That means refining your accuracy, mastering your skills and staying prepared every time you train. Whether you're a new shooter or an experienced marksman, Mantis X helps you train smarter, shoot better and defend what matters most. Get yours [e-mail] that's mantisx.com Moments ago.

[News Anchor]

Donald Trump was having a meltdown on the White House lawn. He was calling for California Governor Gavin Newsom to be arrested. He was asked a question about said Gavin Newsom. This is what the question from Fox Gavin Newsom is daring Tom Homan to come and arrest him should he do it. That's actually not what Gavin Newsom was doing at all. It was actually Trump's border czar making threats against California Governor Gavin Newsom and others. I'll play that clip in just a moment, but before Donald Trump said that he then posted this about Los Angeles and California, he wrote, we made a great decision in sending in the National Guard to deal with the violent instigated riots in California. If we had not done so, Los Angeles would have been completely obliterated. The very incompetent Governor Gavin Newscomb and mayor and he puts that in quotes. Karen Bash should be saying, thank you President Trump. You are so wonderful. We would be nothing without you, sir. Instead, they choose to lie to the people of California and America. But I don't want to read the rest because it's so utterly despicable. Donald Trump's been targeting hardworking communities with ICE raids here. He's been going into courtrooms with ICE raids, into factories, into Home Depots, into schools, terrorizing communities here and escalating things. The LAPD just two days ago said the protests were peaceful. Then Donald Trump federalized the National Guard unlawfully and sent them against the people here in California and in Los Angeles. Here's what Donald Trump said on the White House lawn moments ago, saying that, yes, he thinks that Gavin Newsom should be arrested. Here, play this clip.

[Mantis X Advertiser]

Gavin Newsom, he's daring Tom Holman to.

[Alex Padilla]

Come and arrest him.

[Mantis X Advertiser]

Should he do it?

[Alex Padilla]

I would do it if I were Tom. I think it's great.

[Mantis X Advertiser]

Gavin likes to publicity, but I think.

[News Anchor]

It would be a great thing he did. Hear what he said. He said, I think it would be great because Gavin likes the publicity. So utterly despicable. And then last night, Donald Trump posted arrest the people in masks. Now look looking really bad in la. Bring in the troops. I want to bring in California Senator Alex Padilla. I want to get your take on all of that first, just your immediate response to what I showed you. Then let's talk more broadly about what's going on.

[Alex Padilla]

Yeah, sadly, it's not shocking. You know, we have, and Donald Trump is a president who is. Had the biggest ego of any president I ever can think of, combined with the cruelty and big dick vindictiveness that is Donald Trump. And it's playing out in Los Angeles right now, my home. So this is actually very personal for me. This is a crisis of Donald Trump's own making when you have the Department of Homeland Security using increasingly cruel and aggressive tactics for immigration enforcement. Of course, in a community as diverse as Los Angeles, you're going to have people speaking up in defense of our fundamental rights and due process, the due process rights that the Trump administration consistently has been ignoring. And so at every turn, Donald Trump will seek an excuse, make up an excuse if necessary, to further escalate the situation. So that's what's transpired in Los Angeles. I want to thank all the folks that have been out there peacefully protesting. The vast majority of folks are peacefully and righteously protesting. And as the folks that are involved with the vandalism, whatnot, that's. That's not helpful, has no place in this protest or anywhere else. But it's hurting us by taking the attention away from standing up for Immigrants rights and due process and having the president and some of the press focus strictly on some of the violence and vandalism that's going on.

[News Anchor]

You know, my wife is first generation American. Her family's from Guadalajara. They became citizens a few decades ago. Her, they live in Huntington park and her nieces and nephews are at their graduation as we're recording this interview. And there's ICE trucks right around there where the graduation is taking place at Huntington High School, at the middle school right there. And I can just hear from them how terrified they are about what's going on. You're seeing people arrested in the streets and it seems that ICE is specifically targeting not the criminals like they said they were focused on, but they're going into the hard working Latino communities here. People who were living their American dreams, almost seeming knowing that would, that's how you provoke the people. Because when you rip people apart from their families, people get pissed. What do you say to, what do you say to people who are scared right now?

[Alex Padilla]

Yeah, it's hang in there, know your rights, right? Because regardless of your immigration status, you do, you do have due process rights. If you are approached by an ICE officer or federal agent, you are not forced to respond to their questions. You have the right to access a lawyer, all those basic things. But sadly, we know that Donald Trump has been working for this moment for years and years and years. Right? The cruelty of his speech started when he came down that escalator at Trump Tower to launch his campaign for president the very first time. So as you point out, we're a far cry from him only targeting violent, dangerous criminals. That's what he talked about at the campaign trail. And I don't think, frankly there's any disagreement with that if that was the priority and the mission. But when we hear story after story of an otherwise law abiding innocent working man, working woman, providing for their family being caught up with detention and deportation operations without access to counsel, without due process, that is absolutely wrong. When you hear stories of a four year old girl in the Central Valley who's dependent on life saving treatment to keep her alive, being noticed that she's going to be deported, thankfully they rescinded that, but only because of the public pressure that was mounted against the administration in that particular case. You know, for a federal agent to show up in houses of worship in schools, you're talking about, you know, the high school graduation in hp. Yes, we call Huntington Park HP or even an elementary schools recently in Los Angeles misrepresenting that they had Parental approval to talk to kids. What is Donald Trump doing? And so, of course, it's enraging. We have to continue to speak up, not just organizing in the communities in Los Angeles and around the state and around the country, but know that we're going to fight and keep pushing here in Congress, demanding information and calling them on every overreach, every out of policy, or every unconstitutional tactic that they continue to try to deploy.

[News Anchor]

No. And here's a prime example of what Trump's ICE is doing. I think this needs to get more attention. So David Huerta, US Citizen, president of the seiu, very important union here in California and across the country. He was the president of California's seiu. He was. They're peacefully explaining to people what their rights were. And I want to just show our audience what is what happened to him here, play this clip.

[Shopify Advertiser]

Shame on you.

[Mantis X Advertiser]

Shame on you.

[News Anchor]

And so, based on what everybody saw there, the DOJ then doubled down. They charged him with conspiracy to impede an officer. There's a criminal complaint. His arraignment is today. And so we're seeing the weaponization of the Department of Justice as well, and trying to make example of a union leader like David Huerta. What's your response to that situation?

[Alex Padilla]

First of all, my heart goes out to David and his family. I've known David for many, many years. He's not just a local leader, he's a local hero for his advocacy for working people as president of his SIU local and his leadership at the state level. But look, I can't help but take this personally. Born and raised in Los Angeles, proud son of immigrants from Mexico. So let's for a moment go back to California in the year 1994, when Governor Pete Wilson was struggling in his reelection campaign. So what does he do? He starts trying to blame all of California's woes at the time on immigrants and the immigrant community. He championed a ballot measure known as Proposition 187, sort of a precursor to all this anti immigrant rhetoric that we're hearing coming out of the White House today. It was, to me personally, offensive and insulting so much that I left an engineering career behind to get involved in politics, to commit to public service. And thankfully, California is much different politically today than it was back then. But the attacks keep coming. And if anything, we should look at that California narrative of people like my parents, who had been here for years and years and years without any urgency of becoming a citizen, finally doing so, and so many others like them doing the same. You had my generation, we were a little bit younger at the time, but committing ourselves to organizing and advocating. That's why California is the California of today. That should be a model for other communities across the country to follow. Let's get through these difficult, challenging times, but build on them and build that better future. Consider this. California is not just the most populous state in the nation. We are the most diverse state in the nation, home to more immigrants than any state in the nation. Mostly documented, yes, some undocumented. But California is also the largest economy of any other state in the nation, by far the fourth largest economy in the world, not despite its immigrant population, but thanks to the contribution of the immigrant community as workforce, as consumers, as entrepreneurs. So not only is the administration attacking the immigrant community in the way that they're doing cruel and inhumane, in some ways, unlawful and unconstitutional, but they're doing it against our own interests. Focus on the violent criminals, but leave the hardworking people that our economy and our nation depends on. They deserve better and to be a whole different thing entirely. If Trump said focus a little bit on enforcement and then here's the plan to modernize our immigration system, that's where our focus in our conversation ought to be. I can tell you that's where we want to be as a Senate and as a Congress. But as long as Donald Trump is around, you know, you're seeing their, their overreach and their cruelty at every turn. And the last thing, because I think this is also important. Timing is everything, right? His tariff war is failing tremendously. There's certainly no peace between Ukraine and Russia right now. And so when all else fails for Donald Trump, what does he do? His fallback is always demonize immigrants. Let's attack immigrants, because he thinks that's what plays well with his political base. At the same time, we know that there's this horrendous budget bill working its way through Congress. It passed the House of Representatives with the one vote majority. Now, Senate Republicans are trying to get this done in the next several weeks. Gut health care, the social safety net, underwrite tax breaks for billionaires. Donald Trump doesn't want us talking about this. So what does he do? He manufactures this crisis in Los Angeles to try to change the narrative and try to shift people's attention away. Let's not let them get away with it.

[News Anchor]

Senator Alex Padilla, thank you for joining us. We appreciate your advocacy and all the work you do here in California.

[Alex Padilla]

Thank you.

[News Anchor]

Thank you, everybody. Hit subscribe. Let's get to 5 million subscribers. And after this video, we will do another video on the lawsuit, of course, that was just filed by the State of California against the Trump regime for the unlawful invocation of the statute improperly federalizing the National Guard. We'll be back with that one shortly. Can't get enough Midas? Check out the Midas substack for ad Free articles, reports, podcasts, daily recaps from Ron Filipkowski, and more. Sign up for free [e-mail].

[SoFi Advertiser]

High interest debt is one of the toughest opponents you'll face unless you power up with a SOFI personal loan. A SOFI personal loan could repackage your bad debt into one low fixed rate monthly payment. It's even got super speed since you could get the funds as soon as the same day you sign. Visit sofi.com power to learn more. That's sofi.com p o w E R Loans Originated By Sofa Bank NA Member FDIC Terms and conditions apply. NMLS 696891.