51ºÚÁÏ

Members of Congress from both sides of the Mississippi took time Friday to lambaste President Donald Trump’s administration for what they called a heavy-handed approach to immigration-related protests.

Specifically, the administration was taken to task for its response Thursday to U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, a California Democrat, being forcibly removed after he showed up unexpectedly at a press conference by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

“These strong-arm tactics are totally unacceptable,� said U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Illinois’ senior Democratic senator, who described Padilla as a “talented� legislator who he has worked with on legislation.

Durbin was in St. Clair County on Friday to acknowledge the completion of the first phase of sewer and flooding work in Cahokia Heights, which was paid for by about $13.5 million in federal money.

An East 51ºÚÁÏ native, Durbin is not seeking reelection in 2026. None of the early Democratic favorites to succeed him are from downstate Illinois.

After the press conference, Durbin was asked about the immigration protests planned for this weekend.

“By all means, exercise your (First Amendment) rights under the Constitution — but that does not include violence,� Durbin said. “So do it peacefully.�

Gov. Mike Kehoe already has activated the National Guard in Missouri, which could assist local law enforcement officers should the need arise.

Two local protests on Tuesday, which drew about 200 people each on Tuesday, were peaceful. But immigration raids in Los Angeles have sparked days of protests and clashes with police and pushed Trump to send in military troops.

Another Democratic member of Illinois’ congressional delegation, U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski of Springfield, joined Durbin in opposing the action against Padilla.

“This is appalling. A sitting U.S. senator was just thrown to the ground and handcuffed for asking a question,� Budzinski said in her post, which also included a video clip of the confrontation.

“Interrupting a press conference isn’t a crime and peaceful protest is a fundamental right for all,� she said.

U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell, a 51ºÚÁÏ Democrat, took to social media to blast the Secret Service response to Padilla.

“Republicans aren’t flirting with authoritarianism — they’re in an all-out sprint towards it,� said Bell, who also included a video clip of the incident.

“This is the most disgusting and disturbing political movement in modern American history,� he said.