Senator Alex Padilla criticized Vice President JD Vance on Saturday after Vance mistakenly referred to him as “Jose” during a press conference in Los Angeles. Padilla called the misnaming a reflection of the “petty and unserious” nature of the current administration. He emphasized that Vance knows his name and suggested that the vice president should take the immigration situation in Los Angeles more seriously.
The incident occurred during Vance’s brief visit to Los Angeles, which followed a series of federal immigration raids in the area. These raids have sparked protests and backlash from local officials and community members. Padilla, California’s first Latino senator, has been vocal about immigration issues and was recently involved in a heated exchange with federal law enforcement during a press conference with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
In response to Vance’s comments, Padilla appeared on MSNBC, stating, “He knows my name.” He expressed disappointment that the vice president did not take the opportunity to engage with families affected by the immigration raids. Padilla pointed out that Vance’s remarks could be seen as dismissive of the serious concerns facing many in the community.
Vance, who served alongside Padilla in the Senate, later characterized the senator’s actions as “political theater.” His press secretary claimed that the vice president simply misspoke and confused Padilla with another individual. However, Padilla and other California Democrats, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, rallied to support him. Newsom noted that calling Padilla “Jose” was not an accident, while Bass highlighted the racial undertones of Vance’s comments.
Padilla’s experience and the recent immigration raids have drawn attention to the broader national conversation about immigration policy and the treatment of immigrant communities. His call for more serious dialogue reflects the frustrations of many Californians who feel their concerns are being overlooked by federal officials.