Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.
Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Los Angeles enforces a second consecutive curfew to crack down on criminal activity as anti-ICE protests erupt in other major cities
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
The 700 Marines deployed by the Trump administration to Los Angeles are expected to be on the streets later today or Friday. They will support up to 4,000 National Guard troops in protecting federal property and agents on immigration raids.
In an interview with The Daily podcast, California Governor Gavin Newsom said the deployment, supposedly to restore order amid unrest sparked by ICE raids, was “theater, madness, unconstitutional.”
Mayor Karen Bass says the presence of troops has exacerbated tensions.
Newsom called President Donald Trump a “stone-cold liar” after he claimed he spoke with the governor about federalizing National Guard troops and questioned his mental acuity.
Trump posted this morning that Los Angeles was “safe and sound for the last two nights,” despite continued unrest, saying it was due to the National Guard, despite their limited role, and the Marines, who are not there yet.
Protests have flared up in at least 37 cities since last Friday, The Independent has found. More are scheduled for today.
In a particularly shocking moment, California Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed, restrained, and handcuffed during a press conference being held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem when he accused her of exaggerating.
The FBI arrested a California man early Thursday morning for allegedly handing out police-style face masks to a crowd of Los Angeles protesters earlier in the week.
Alejandro Theodoro Orellana is accused of conspiracy to commit civil disorder, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli announced on X.
Josh Marcus reports from California.
Texas Democratic Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett calls what happened to Senator Alex Padilla “DISGUSTING. Point blank, period.”
She tweeted:
This shit is out of control.
Another elected official disrespected while doing their job.
If this is how they treat sitting members of Congress, mayors, and judges—people simply trying to serve—how do you think they’ll treat you?!?
This is deliberate. And it’s all about control and intimidation toward those who dare hold them accountable.
Enough is enough.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem tells Fox News that Senator Alex Padilla did not identify himself at the press conference and “start launching toward the podium.”
She told Martha MacCallum: “This man burst into the room and started launching towards the podium interrupting me and elevating his voice and was stopped, did not identify himself and was removed from the room.”
She added: “As soon as he identified himself, appropriate actions were taken.”
Here is the senator identifying himself as he is removed, via Jacob Soboroff of NBC News:
Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska says the treatment of Senator Alex Padilla is “horrible” and “not the America I know.”
Speaking to the press after his removal from the Homeland Security press conference, Senator Alex Padilla said:
I was not arrested. I was not detained. I will say this. If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question, if this is how the department of homeland security responds to a senator with a question, you can only imagine what they’re doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers out in the Los Angeles community and throughout California and throughout the country. We will hold this administration accountable.
Reacting to Senator Alex Padilla’s removal from a Homeland Security press conference, Democrat Rep Maxwell Frost of Florida said in Congress: “We need to subpoena Kristi Noem!”
Republican members were not enthusiastic about the idea.
Watch the moment here via C-SPAN:
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has expressed her outrage at the treatment of Senator Alex Padilla during Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s press conference.
The mayor tweeted:
What just happened to @SenAlexPadilla is absolutely abhorrent and outrageous.
He is a sitting United States Senator.
This administration’s violent attacks on our city must end.
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in