JD Vance calls California Sen. Alex Padilla 'José' during trip to Los Angeles
(This story has been updated with new information.)
During JD Vance's trip to Los Angeles on Friday, June 20, the vice president referred to California Sen. Alex Padilla as "José" when mentioning his absence at a news conference following a tour of an FBI mobile command center and meetings with Marines.
"Well I was hoping that José Padilla would be here to ask a question but unfortunately I guess he decided not to show up because there wasn't the theater," Vance said. "And that's all it is. I think everybody realizes what this is. It's pure political theater."
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Vance's comments allude to Padilla's forced removal during a news conference on Thursday, June 12, held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Padilla attempted to ask Noem questions during her conference but was forcibly removed from room by security.
Vance and Padilla have worked together in the United States Senate since 2022 before Vance took office as vice president in 2024.
Padilla responded via X on Saturday, June 21, saying, "You know my name, @JDVance. If you want to talk about political theater, let's start with the thousands of troops that your administration is using as props in Los Angeles."
When asked why he referred to the senator as "José Padilla," despite his first name being Alejandro, Kirk told The Enquirer "He must have mixed up two people who have broken the law." Van Kirk did not elaborate.
José Padilla was a U.S. citizen who was convicted on charges of supporting al Qaeda after he was initially accused of planning to carry out a "dirty bomb" attack in the U.S., whom many speculate Vance was referring to.
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The vice president's comments have stirred up criticism via social media and with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
"You don't know his name, but yet you served with him before you were vice president, and you continue to serve with him today. Because the last time I checked, the vice president of the United States is the president of the U.S. Senate," Bass said. "How dare you disrespect him and call him José, but I guess he just looked like anybody to you."
The Middletown, Ohio native is currently in Los Angeles to meet with city leaders and military members to discuss current unrest amidst ongoing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protests and raids in Southern California.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: JD Vance refers to California Sen. Alex Padilla as 'José'
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