On Saturday, Senator Alex Padilla vehemently condemned the Trump administration, labeling it as “petty and unserious.” His remarks came in response to Vice President JD Vance, who referred to him as “Jose” during a news conference held in Los Angeles the day before. Padilla made his statements during an appearance on MSNBC, emphasizing that Vance is well aware of his name.
Vice President Vance's visit to Los Angeles on Friday lasted less than five hours, occurring against the backdrop of a series of federal immigration raids that stirred protests and backlash from both state and local officials. Padilla, who is California’s first Latino senator, found himself at the center of the heated nationwide immigration debate after he was forcibly pulled to the ground and momentarily detained by federal law enforcement officials while attempting to question U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem earlier this month.
Vance dismissed Padilla's actions as mere “political theater,” suggesting that the senator’s presence was unnecessary. “I was hoping Jose Padilla would be here to ask a question, but unfortunately I guess he decided not to show up because there wasn’t a theater, and that’s all it is,” Vance remarked. It is worth noting that Vance and Padilla served together in the Senate, and Vance currently holds the position of president of the upper chamber of Congress.
In light of the controversy, Vance’s press secretary, Taylor Van Kirk, clarified to Politico that the vice president had misspoken and likely mixed up two individuals involved in legal controversies. Padilla, however, countered this narrative during his interview, asserting that he has broken no laws. He suggested that the misnaming might have been an intentional slight, reflecting the administration’s distorted priorities.
Padilla pointed out that as the vice president of the United States, Vance should take the situation in Los Angeles more seriously. He criticized Vance for not using the opportunity to engage with families or employers adversely affected by the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids.
Following the incident, other California Democrats rallied in support of Padilla. California Governor Gavin Newsom remarked on social media that calling Padilla “Jose” was not a simple oversight. Similarly, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass highlighted the racial implications inherent in Vance’s comments, further underlining the significance of the incident within the broader discussions of immigration and representation.
