SECURITY NIGHTMARE: SENATOR ALEX PADILLA CHARGES THE STAGE DURING LIVE NOEM PRESS CONFERENCE
A routine press conference can become a security crisis in the blink of an eye.
An unidentified individual in a nondescript outfit with no identifying marks suddenly rushes toward a public official. There’s no visible weapon, no verbal threat—only urgency, motion, and shouting a question. In such moments, decisive action can mean the difference between safety and catastrophe.
This scenario is not just hypothetical. With increasing public visibility and evolving threats, every security team must prepare for situations where they are forced to act before identifying intent.
See Senator Padilla For Yourself…
Followed By The Inevitable Press Conference…
Notice what Padilla is wearing and the absence of his Senate identification pin. Padilla is pushing and shoving law enforcement officers to get to the podium, exhibiting aggressive and threatening behavior.
Padilla's Statement...
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LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, the Office of U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, released the following statement after Padilla was forcibly removed from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem’s press conference while performing Congressional oversight in Los Angeles: “Senator Padilla is currently in Los Angeles exercising his duty to perform Congressional oversight of the federal government’s operations in Los Angeles and across California. He was in the federal building to receive a briefing with General Guillot and was listening to Secretary Noem’s press conference. He tried to ask the Secretary a question, and was forcibly removed by federal agents, forced to the ground and handcuffed. He is not currently detained, and we are working to get additional information.” <Source> |
Department of Homeland Security...
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Senator Padilla chose disrespectful political theatre and interrupted a live press conference without identifying himself or having his Senate security pin on as he lunged toward Secretary Noem. Mr. Padilla was told repeatedly to back away and did not comply with officers’ repeated commands. @SecretService thought he was an attacker and officers acted appropriately. Secretary Noem met with Senator Padilla after and held a 15 minute meeting. |
Here’s how professional protection details should respond to such ambiguous but potentially dangerous encounters.
Prioritize the Principal: The “Cover and Evacuate” Protocol. The first obligation of any security detail is to protect the principal—the person under protection.
If an unknown individual rapidly approaches without clearance, the team must:
- Form a human barrier between the principal and the threat. Intercept and physically stop the advancing individual using the least force necessary.
- Employ non-lethal measures such as tackles, body grabs, or tasers—especially when the threat does not display a weapon.
- Keep lethal force as a last resort, used only if there is an imminent risk of serious harm.
- In high-visibility incidents, managing the aftermath is just as critical as the response:
- Issue a clear, factual public statement immediately following the incident.
- Reassure the public and press that the situation is under control.
- Provide ongoing updates as new details are verified.
Transparency reduces misinformation and reinforces public trust in the protection team’s professionalism.
Bottom Line
Preparedness is Protection
Unknown threats are among the most complicated challenges for any security team. The lack of overt hostility doesn’t mean the absence of danger. In these moments, the ability to act decisively while preserving life is the hallmark of elite protection.
Public officials deserve safety without sacrificing transparency and accessibility. Striking that balance is only possible through rigorous training, clear protocols, and calm professionalism under pressure.
We are so screwed.
-- Steve
“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words
“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw
“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”
“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS "The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius “A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell “Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar “Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS