NEWSPOLITICSENTERTAINMENTLIFEPERSONALVOICESSHOPPINGGAMESKristi Noem Mocked With Awkward Visual Reminder After Her Clueless 2-Word AttackThe Homeland Security secretary's claim about Sen. Alex Padilla quickly backfired on social media.By Ed MazzaDeputy Editor, Trends, HuffPostJun 12, 2025, 11:52 PM EDTLEAVE A COMMENTLOADINGERROR LOADINGHomeland Security Secretary on Thursday accused Sen. (D-Calif.) of “political theater” for attempting to ask questions at a press conference. Padilla was .“Nobody knew who he was, he didn’t say who he was,” Noem during a interview, despite footage showing Padilla clearly identifying himself during the encounter. “I would have loved to have sat down and had a conversation with him, that coming into a press conference like this is political theater.” Advertisement, Busted: Kristi Noem raises eyebrows with 'security theater' to 'generate clicks' on social media policies were nothing more than “security theater” and not truly enhancing the safety of , Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday accused Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) of “political theater” for attempting to ask questions at a press conference. Padilla was roughed up, forced out, and handcuffed. “Nobody knew who he was, he didn’t say who he was,” Noem claimed during .