California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s press team has ignited a firestorm with a social media post that many interpret as a veiled threat against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, just as the nation mourns a tragic political assassination.
This controversy erupted after Newsom’s office posted on X this past Saturday, declaring that Noem would face a tough day ahead, drawing sharp criticism from conservative leaders and Trump administration officials amid heightened tensions following the killing of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025.
Breitbart reported that the post in question read, “Kristi Noem is going to have a bad day today. You’re welcome, America.”
Coming just 10 days after Newsom publicly condemned Kirk’s murder, the timing of this message couldn’t have been worse, amplifying perceptions of hostility in an already charged political climate.
Kirk was fatally shot in the neck by 22-year-old Tyler Robinson while speaking at Utah Valley University, a shocking act that has left conservatives reeling and national leaders grieving.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox later shared that Robinson held ideological views starkly opposed to his conservative family and was involved in a relationship with a transgender partner, details that have only deepened public curiosity about the assassin’s motives.
Acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, Bill Essayli, didn’t mince words, referring the matter to the Secret Service for a thorough threat assessment, signaling the gravity of the perceived danger.
Essayli stated, “We have zero tolerance for direct or implicit threats against government officials.” It’s a reminder that words matter, especially when they come from a governor’s official platform—careless rhetoric can’t be dismissed as mere banter in times like these.
Conservative voices were quick to pile on, with Daily Wire host Matt Walsh pointing out eerie parallels between this post and threatening messages targeting Kirk before his death, a comparison that’s hard to ignore.
Three hours after the initial X post, Newsom’s press office tried to clarify by quote-tweeting their own message with a photo of a press release about new legislation aimed at protecting immigrant communities and countering Trump’s influence.
But the follow-up did little to quell the outrage—critics argue it’s a flimsy attempt to pivot away from what many saw as a menacing jab at Noem, not a policy win worth celebrating.
Adding fuel to the fire, Newsom’s track record of fiery language—like his podcast vow to metaphorically strike political opponents or his earlier promotion of a controversial meme—only reinforces the notion that his team plays fast and loose with words.
The backdrop of Kirk’s assassination makes this incident even more raw, as national figures, including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, have publicly mourned the loss of a conservative icon.
Trump’s decision to posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom underscores the profound impact of his legacy, a stark contrast to the petty social media squabbles that seem to dominate Newsom’s orbit right now. If there’s a time for measured tones, surely it’s during a memorial weekend honoring such a figure.
Ultimately, this episode raises tough questions about accountability in political discourse—when a governor’s office posts something that “reads like a threat,” as DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin put it, the fallout isn’t just a PR headache; it’s a trust issue for all Americans watching.
Newsom’s team might think they’re clever with their keyboard quips, but in a nation still grieving, they’d do well to remember that words can wound as deeply as actions.