Newsom faces backlash over 'reckless' Kristi Noem post as threat assessment is opened over Charlie Kirk's death

California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office faced swift backlash Monday over a cryptic X post about Kristi Noem, a remark critics described as reckless in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The post, attributed to Newsom's press shop, read: "Kristi Noem is going to have a bad day today. You’re welcome, America." The message prompted at least one Republican official to refer the rhetoric to the Secret Service for a threat assessment.

Acting U.S. Attorney in California described the post as reckless and said the rhetoric could invite left-wing extremists and harm. Bill Essayli said he referred the matter to the Secret Service for a threat assessment after the weekend post. The threat assessment will determine whether there is danger to Noem or others, according to law enforcement sources. Newsom's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Later, Newsom's team pushed back with a separate X post, noting a past instance where Trump was referred for investigation over a 2020 tweet about Bernie Sanders.

Separately, California moved forward with a new law targeting disguises worn by officers; the bill would deem wearing masks or personal disguises during routine duties as a misdemeanor unless the officer is undercover or performing a tactical operation requiring protective gear. It would also open civil liability for "tortious conduct" committed while masked, such as false imprisonment or false arrest. Newsom signed the measure on Saturday as part of a broader push to reshape how state and local law enforcement interact with federal immigration enforcement.

Essayli criticized the law, saying it would undermine law enforcement and invite harm as federal immigration enforcement remains a flashpoint. "Our agents, our men and women who… signed up to protect our communities, don't deserve this," Essayli said, arguing that opponents' rhetoric has fueled calls to oppose federal agencies. He said California has no jurisdiction to curb federal enforcement and urged agencies to push back against what he described as an overreach from the federal government.

Newsom countered that immigrants' due process rights are being stripped away and urged federal authorities to unmask agents, arguing that transparency is essential in policing. He said, "Unmarked cars, people in masks, people quite literally disappearing. No due process, no rights — no rights in a democracy where we have rights," and he asserted that state officials have the right to push back against federal enforcement measures and to demand accountability from agencies operating on California soil.

Anti-ICE protests have erupted in major cities across the nation, including Los Angeles, where demonstrators clashed with police and some participants were detained. The heightened rhetoric comes as calls for greater transparency and oversight of immigration enforcement continue to shape political debate in California and beyond. The timing of the dispute places Newsom amid discussions about how far state leaders should go in challenging federal policy, particularly as election-year debates over immigration policy remain deeply contentious.

The controversy shows the ongoing friction between California's leadership and federal immigration authorities, and it underscores how political dynamics can intersect with concerns about the safety and rhetoric surrounding public figures. The Charlie Kirk incident, referenced by officials, occurred just over a week before the Newsom-Noem episode, adding a temporal link between inflammatory online rhetoric and real-world security considerations.