WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today released the following statement in response to the forcible removal of U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) from a Department of Homeland Security press conference:

“What we have just witnessed should shock the conscience of every Member of Congress and every American. Today, a sitting U.S. Senator, a son of immigrants, was physically accosted, handcuffed, and forcibly removed by federal agents for attempting to ask a question to the Secretary of Homeland Security about the lawless actions of the agency in his state. Senator Padilla, on behalf of a coequal branch of government, was seeking information on behalf of his constituents at a public event—he was doing his job.

“Make no mistake: the Trump Administration is violating the Constitution and is refusing to take questions or criticism about their illegal actions. This behavior is outrageous, shocking, and unacceptable. Every Republican, including President Trump, must immediately condemn this shameful incident.”

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