CHAOS ERUPTS: Missouri Deploys Guard as Senator Padilla Forcibly Removed in DC

Paul Riverbank, 6/14/2025The convergence of Missouri's National Guard activation ahead of ICE protests and Senator Padilla's controversial removal from a press conference underscores a troubling escalation in America's immigration debate, revealing deep fissures in our political discourse and testing the boundaries of constitutional rights.

I've covered political upheaval for three decades, but the scenes unfolding across the country signal something different. In Missouri, Governor Mike Kehoe's decision to activate the National Guard ahead of anticipated anti-ICE demonstrations marks a troubling shift in how states are approaching First Amendment activities. While governors have historically deployed the National Guard during civil unrest, the pre-emptive nature of Executive Order 25-25 raises legitimate questions about the balance between public safety and civil liberties.

The situation in Kansas City tells part of the story. Hundreds have already gathered peacefully to protest ICE operations – exactly the kind of constitutionally protected activity that defines American democracy. Yet the governor's office seems to be preparing for a worst-case scenario that critics argue could become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

More worrying still was the shocking scene in Los Angeles, where Senator Alex Padilla's removal from a press conference with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem sent shockwaves through Capitol Hill. Having witnessed countless heated political confrontations over the years, the sight of federal agents physically restraining a sitting U.S. Senator stands out as particularly alarming.

House Speaker Mike Johnson's characterization of Padilla's behavior as "wildly inappropriate" sparked a rare moment of chaos on the House floor. Democratic representatives – usually bound by strict parliamentary procedure – shouted "That's a lie!" in response. The raw emotion of that moment reveals just how deeply these tensions run.

What's particularly striking is the reaction from moderate voices like Senator Lisa Murkowski. When a veteran legislator known for measured responses declares an incident "shocking at every level" and "not the America I know," it demands our attention.

The broader context here matters. These events aren't happening in isolation. The federal charges against Rep. LaMonica McIver for allegedly assaulting federal agents at a Newark detention facility, combined with nationwide protests, suggest we're witnessing a fundamental breakdown in the normal channels of political discourse.

Senate Majority Whip John Thune's attempts at damage control – reaching out to Padilla, the Senate Sergeant at Arms, and Secretary Noem – highlight the behind-the-scenes scramble to prevent further escalation. But as one senior staffer confided to me yesterday, "You can't put this genie back in the bottle with just a few phone calls."

Senator Schatz's admission that he's no longer sure about walking back from the brink should worry everyone who cares about functional democracy. In my years covering Washington, I've learned that when seasoned politicians publicly express such doubts, the private conversations are usually far more concerning.

The coming weeks will test our institutions in ways few could have predicted. The question isn't just about immigration policy anymore – it's about whether our political system can still handle fundamental disagreements without descending into chaos. Based on what I'm seeing and hearing from sources across the political spectrum, we're entering uncharted territory.

The American political landscape reached a concerning inflection point this week, as escalating tensions over immigration enforcement sparked unprecedented confrontations between elected officials and law enforcement, while states grappled with mounting protests.I've covered political upheaval for three decades, but the scenes unfolding across the country signal something different. In Missouri, Governor Mike Kehoe's decision to activate the National Guard ahead of anticipated anti-ICE demonstrations marks a troubling shift in how states are approaching First Amendment activities. While governors have historically deployed the National Guard during civil unrest, the pre-emptive nature of Executive Order 25-25 raises legitimate questions about the balance between public safety and civil liberties.The situation in Kansas City tells part of the story. Hundreds have already gathered peacefully to protest ICE operations – exactly the kind of constitutionally protected activity that defines American democracy. Yet the governor's office seems to be preparing for a worst-case scenario that critics argue could become a self-fulfilling prophecy.More worrying still was the shocking scene in Los Angeles, where Senator Alex Padilla's removal from a press conference with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem sent shockwaves through Capitol Hill. Having witnessed countless heated political confrontations over the years, the sight of federal agents physically restraining a sitting U.S. Senator stands out as particularly alarming.House Speaker Mike Johnson's characterization of Padilla's behavior as "wildly inappropriate" sparked a rare moment of chaos on the House floor. Democratic representatives – usually bound by strict parliamentary procedure – shouted "That's a lie!" in response. The raw emotion of that moment reveals just how deeply these tensions run.What's particularly striking is the reaction from moderate voices like Senator Lisa Murkowski. When a veteran legislator known for measured responses declares an incident "shocking at every level" and "not the America I know," it demands our attention.The broader context here matters. These events aren't happening in isolation. The federal charges against Rep. LaMonica McIver for allegedly assaulting federal agents at a Newark detention facility, combined with nationwide protests, suggest we're witnessing a fundamental breakdown in the normal channels of political discourse.Senate Majority Whip John Thune's attempts at damage control – reaching out to Padilla, the Senate Sergeant at Arms, and Secretary Noem – highlight the behind-the-scenes scramble to prevent further escalation. But as one senior staffer confided to me yesterday, "You can't put this genie back in the bottle with just a few phone calls."Senator Schatz's admission that he's no longer sure about walking back from the brink should worry everyone who cares about functional democracy. In my years covering Washington, I've learned that when seasoned politicians publicly express such doubts, the private conversations are usually far more concerning.The coming weeks will test our institutions in ways few could have predicted. The question isn't just about immigration policy anymore – it's about whether our political system can still handle fundamental disagreements without descending into chaos. Based on what I'm seeing and hearing from sources across the political spectrum, we're entering uncharted territory.