California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s press team sparked outrage Saturday with a cryptic post about DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
The Trump administration has referred the matter to the Secret Service for a threat assessment.
The Post
Newsom’s press office account on X published a short statement about Noem.
“Kristi Noem is going to have a bad day today. You’re welcome, America,” it read.
Screenshot
The message came as Newsom continued clashing with Trump over immigration.
Critics said the post appeared to suggest harm toward the DHS secretary.
The governor’s office has not publicly clarified the intent of the message.
Kristi Noem
The wording immediately drew comparisons to posts made before Kirk’s assassination.
Observers noted the vagueness allowed it to be interpreted as threatening.
DHS Reaction
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned the post as unacceptable.
“This reads like a threat,” she wrote on X.
She accused Newsom’s team of being “keyboard warriors.”
McLaughlin said the language was ugly and cowardly.
She argued Newsom would never use such rhetoric face-to-face.
The statement highlighted the dangerous precedent of online vitriol.
DHS officials said threats against leaders cannot be taken lightly.
Federal Response
Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli announced federal review of the matter.
He said he referred the case to the Secret Service.
Essayli noted “zero tolerance” for threats against officials.
He requested a full threat assessment from federal investigators.
The Secret Service acknowledged the referral but declined specific comment.
Federal law requires all threats, direct or implied, to be evaluated.
The process will determine if the post warrants further action.
Political Context
Newsom has cast himself as a leader of resistance to Trump.
He has strongly opposed federal immigration raids in Los Angeles.
Gavin Newsom
The raids prompted Trump to deploy National Guard troops and Marines.
Newsom denounced masked ICE agents as “terrifying” and dystopian.
The California governor frequently clashes with DHS Secretary Noem.
Their feud has escalated as immigration crackdowns intensify.
The latest controversy further inflamed tensions between the two camps.
Broader Concerns
The uproar comes just days after Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
Before the killing, some online posts hinted at political violence.
Federal officials are now on heightened alert for threats.
The DHS says assaults on officers have risen during enforcement.
Newsom has accused Trump officials of spreading misinformation.
