Democrat Shreds His Own Colleagues Over ICE Protests: ‘Political Theater’
Democratic Representative Jared Golden has criticized members of his own party for transforming public service into a spectacle of political theatrics.
Golden, a congressman representing Maine, condemned fellow Democrats Rep. LaMonica McIver from New Jersey and Sen. Alex Padilla from California for what he characterized as overt “politics as theater.”
His comments followed an incident where Padilla created a tumultuous disruption at a press conference held by the Department of Homeland Security. During the event, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem was addressing the media when Padilla abruptly entered, interrupted the proceedings, and reportedly rushed towards Noem. Shortly thereafter, law enforcement intervened, tackling Padilla, handcuffing him, and escorting him out of the venue.
“Rushing into the FBI headquarters and attempting to disrupt a press conference while advancing towards a cabinet member is not the role of an elected official,” Golden remarked to Axios.
Although Golden acknowledged that “it’s never favorable when a senator or member of Congress is physically confronted by law enforcement,” he firmly stated that Padilla had overstepped his bounds.
“I don’t believe that politics as theater is the purpose of our responsibilities here,” he asserted.
The Department of Homeland Security also expressed its disapproval. In a statement shared on X, the department clarified that Padilla had “interrupted a live press conference without revealing his identity,” and noted that he “lunged toward” Secretary Noem. According to DHS, Padilla was not wearing a visible Senate security pin and disregarded several commands to retreat.
“Senator Padilla opted for disrespectful political theatrics and interrupted a live press conference without identifying himself or displaying his Senate security pin as he lunged toward Secretary Noem,” the DHS statement read. “Mr. Padilla was repeatedly instructed to step back but failed to comply with the officers’ commands.”
DHS further indicated that the Secret Service regarded the situation as an active threat. “Officers perceived Senator Padilla as a potential assailant and acted accordingly,” the department noted, although Padilla eventually identified himself as officers approached him.
The controversy surrounding Padilla is not the sole incident that provoked Golden’s anger.
He also criticized McIver, who is currently confronting significant legal repercussions for her own dramatic actions. In May, McIver reportedly burst into a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Newark, New Jersey. This act did not conclude with applause; rather, it culminated in an indictment.
A federal grand jury has charged McIver with several offenses related to the incident at the ICE facility. If found guilty, she could face a maximum of 17 years in federal prison.
Golden further implied that their actions signify a troubling change in priorities within the Democratic Party.
Rather than engaging in the challenging, often unglamorous tasks of legislating and serving their constituents, Golden remarked that some Democrats seem more focused on generating viral moments, inciting outrage, and pursuing headlines. He cautioned that this behavior is not only frivolous but also irresponsible.
“In my experience, if you push a police officer, you are likely to be arrested,” he stated.
In a related incident, four migrants escaped from the Delaney Hall ICE detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, on Thursday evening following a reported disturbance within the facility, according to a senior Homeland Security official who spoke to Fox News.
“Additional law enforcement agencies have been called in to locate these escapees, and a BOLO has been issued,” the official confirmed.
Immigration attorney Mustafa Cetin noted that delayed meal service led to approximately 50 detainees at the private facility becoming agitated, which resulted in them tearing down a dormitory wall.
“The issue was related to the food, and some detainees became aggressive, leading to violence,” Cetin explained.
He mentioned that his client indicated the wall was “not very sturdy” and that inmates were using bedsheets in what might have been an attempt to escape. Additionally, the client reported smelling gas during the incident.