California Governor Gavin Newsom’s press office just lit a firestorm with a single social media post targeting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
On Saturday, September 20, 2025, a cryptic message from Newsom’s team on X hinted that Noem was in for a rough day, triggering a swift backlash from conservative voices, a referral to the U.S. Secret Service for a threat assessment, and a belated attempt by the governor’s office to tie the jab to a new legislative push, Fox News reported.
The drama kicked off when the press office posted on X, implying Noem would face trouble ahead.
Conservatives didn’t waste a second slamming the remark, with DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin firing back that Newsom’s team hides behind screens rather than confronting anyone directly.
Acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, Bill Essayli, escalated the matter by confirming he referred the post to the Secret Service for a thorough threat evaluation.
Even Republican Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez chimed in, warning that such rhetoric only fuels the risk of political violence in an already tense climate.
Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi acknowledged the agency received a communication from the Department of Justice about the post, though he stayed tight-lipped on specifics.
“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,” Guglielmi noted to Fox News. Let’s be real—when a governor’s office throws out a line like that, it’s not just banter; it’s a red flag in today’s charged atmosphere.
Neither DHS nor Newsom’s press office offered immediate comments to Fox News Digital, leaving the public to chew on the implications of this digital dust-up.
Several hours after the initial post, Newsom’s team tried to pivot, linking the “bad day” jab to a freshly unveiled legislative package aimed at shielding immigrant communities and challenging federal overreach.
On the same day, Newsom stood with community members and legislative leaders to sign bills designed to protect Californians and counter what his office called “secret police” tactics by the Trump administration and Stephen Miller.
While the intent may be noble to some, the timing and tone of the social media barb raise eyebrows about political gamesmanship.
One standout bill prohibits most law enforcement, including federal immigration agents, from concealing their faces during official duties, a move reported by The Associated Press as a direct pushback against certain federal practices.
Now, let’s unpack this—Newsom’s legislative efforts might resonate with those worried about federal overreach, but why lead with a personal dig at Noem? It’s a head-scratcher that distracts from the policy substance and instead pours fuel on partisan fires.
Critics like Sanchez aren’t wrong to point out that inflammatory posts from high offices can stoke division, especially when the nation’s political temperature is already boiling. If California wants to lead on policy, perhaps skip the playground taunts and stick to the issues—there’s plenty of meat there to debate without the cheap shots.
