California Governor Gavin Newsom sparked controversy on Saturday after his team posted a cryptic message directed at Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Newsom has positioned himself as a leading opponent of the Trump administration, especially on immigration, CNN reported.
That feud intensified earlier this year when President Donald Trump dispatched ICE agents to Los Angeles for large-scale deportation operations.
Against that backdrop, Newsom’s press team posted a statement that many interpreted as a threat toward Noem.
The post read, “Kristi Noem is going to have a bad day today. You’re welcome, America.”
Several X users quickly compared the message to ominous comments made online before the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Also, the Trump administration blasted Team Newsom’s message to Noem.
Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, accused the governor of hiding behind his staff.
“This reads like a threat,” McLaughlin wrote. “This is ugly, @GavinNewsom.”
“Your keyboard warrior team may hide behind their laptops and spew this kind of vitriol but you would never have the guts to say this to her face,” she added.
Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli announced the alleged threat has been referred to the Secret Service.
A Secret Service spokesperson confirmed receipt of the referral.
“To preserve operational integrity, we are not able to comment on specific protective intelligence matters,” the statement said. “However, the Secret Service must vigorously investigate any situation or individual, regardless of position or status, that could pose or be perceived as posing a threat to any of our protectees. Especially in a politically charged climate, such as this.”
Hours later, Newsom’s press office issued a clarification, saying the original message was referencing immigration-related legislation the governor had signed into law.
That legislation includes a provision banning federal law enforcement from wearing masks in the state.
The back-and-forth unfolded amid heightened tensions following Kirk’s killing on Sept. 10, which has sparked new calls for security at political events.
Republicans and members of the Trump administration have hammered Democrats for what they say is inflammatory rhetoric.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., directly blamed Democrats’ words for contributing to the political climate that led to Kirk’s assassination.
Former DHS adviser Charles Marino told CNN that the U.S. threat level “has never been higher.”
Marino said rhetoric from both parties — including Newsom’s press office’s post — is dangerous.
“This is not the maturity and the civility that helps lower the threat level here,” he said. “There needs to be a cooling down here. There is responsibility on the part of politicians, and they need to own that and act accordingly.”
The White House also weighed in, with communications director Steven Cheung blasting Newsom’s press team.
“To make a threat like this, especially on the memorial weekend for Charlie, is beyond the pale and totally disgusting,” Cheung wrote on X. “This is what happens when Gavin Newsom lets deranged Leftist lunatics post messages on his behalf.”
The episode recalls another controversy earlier this year involving former FBI Director James Comey.
Comey posted an Instagram photo showing seashells spelling out the numbers “86 47.”
Trump allies claimed the message was a coded threat against the president, with “86” meaning to get rid of something and “47” referring to Trump as the 47th president.
