Sen. Alex Padilla’s disruptive recent antics at a Department of Homeland Security press conference ended with him in handcuffs, sparking Hollywood actor Jon Cryer's call for Secretary Kristi Noem’s resignation, as Breitbart reports.

On June 12, Padilla, a California Democrat, stormed into Noem’s briefing, shouting and lunging toward the podium without identifying himself as a senator.

Security officers, after a brief shoving match, handcuffed and removed him from the room. The incident, caught on video, ignited a firestorm of commentary from both conservative and progressive corners.

Noem later explained that Padilla’s failure to identify himself and his aggressive behavior justified the security response.

“This man burst into the room, started lunging towards the podium, interrupting me and elevating his voice, and was stopped,” Noem said on Fox News. Her calm recounting contrasts sharply with the senator’s apparent thirst for chaos.

Padilla’s theatrics spark outrage

Padilla’s refusal to wear his congressional pin, as noted by Breitbart’s Alex Marlow, suggests a deliberate attempt to provoke. Marlow, on his show, called it “political theater,” meant to draw attention. Such stunts undermine the dignity expected of a U.S. senator.

Noem emphasized that she would have welcomed a civil discussion with Padilla. “If he had requested a meeting, I would have loved to have sat down and had a conversation with him,” she said. Instead, Padilla’s outburst forced security to act swiftly to maintain order.

Once Padilla identified himself, Noem stated, appropriate actions were taken to address the situation. Her measured response highlights a commitment to protocol over pandering.

Yet, the incident fueled progressive outrage, with some seizing the opportunity to attack the Trump administration.

Hollywood weighs in

Enter Jon Cryer, the Supergirl and Two and a Half Men actor, who took to Bluesky to demand Noem’s resignation. “Kristi Noem must resign,” Cryer posted at 7:46 p.m. on June 12. His call, echoing journalist Steven Beschloss’ claim that Noem lied on Fox News, reeks of Hollywood’s predictable anti-conservative bias.

Cryer doubled down later that night, declaring, “America is an authoritarian state” at 11:58 p.m. Such hyperbole, based on a single incident of a senator’s misbehavior, ignores the broader context of security protocols. Cryer’s flair for the dramatic seems better suited to scripted TV than real-world policy debates.

Beschloss, whom Cryer supported, labeled the Trump administration “a criminal regime.” This inflammatory rhetoric, amplified by Cryer, fuels division rather than fostering constructive dialogue. It’s a tired tactic from the left, weaponizing isolated events to paint conservatives as villains.

Conservative response gains traction

Marlow’s analysis on The Alex Marlow Show cut through the noise, pointing out Padilla’s resistance to officers. “Wants to draw attention to himself,” Marlow said. His observation aligns with a conservative view that some Democrats thrive on manufactured outrage.

Noem, undeterred, called Padilla’s actions “completely inappropriate” for a public official. “The way that he acted was not becoming of a U.S. Senator,” she said. Her critique underscores a broader conservative frustration with elected officials who prioritize stunts over substance.

The incident reflects a deeper cultural divide, where progressive figures like Cryer rush to condemn conservative leaders without fully grasping the facts. Padilla’s behavior, not Noem’s response, escalated the situation. Blaming the DHS secretary for enforcing security is a leap only the woke elite could make.

Call for civility emerges

Cryer’s history of inflammatory rhetoric, including accusing President Donald Trump of “terrorism” in March 2025, reveals a pattern of overreach. His latest outburst against Noem fits this mold, prioritizing ideology over reason. Conservatives, meanwhile, see Noem’s handling of the incident as a defense of order.

Noem’s willingness to engage in dialogue, had Padilla chosen civility, contrasts with the senator’s recklessness. “Coming into a press conference like this is political theater,” Noem rightly noted. Her focus on decorum resonates with Americans tired of performative politics.

The Padilla-Noem clash, amplified by Cryer’s theatrics, underscores the need for cooler heads in public discourse. Security must be maintained, senators must act with dignity, and actors might consider sticking to their scripts. Noem’s steady leadership in the face of chaos proves her mettle, while Padilla’s antics and Cryer’s rants reveal the left’s desperation for relevance.