Newsom press office post about Kristi Noem triggers Secret Service threat assessment

A cryptic X post from California Gov. Gavin Newsom's press office about Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem prompted a referral to the U.S. Secret Service for a threat assessment, authorities said Saturday.

Newsom's office wrote on X, 'Kristi Noem is going to have a bad day today.' 'You're welcome, America.' The post drew swift criticism from DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin and Acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli. Essayli said he had referred the matter to the Secret Service and requested a full threat assessment. McLaughlin called the message ugly and said it read like a threat, adding that '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.'

Republican California Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez blasted the remark, telling Fox News Digital that such comments could fuel political violence. 'Our Governor can’t keep his foot out of his mouth,' Sanchez said. Hours later, Newsom's office announced a legislative package aimed at protecting immigrant communities and holding Trump accountable—development described as the move they had signaled would give Noem 'a bad day.'

Newsom appeared with community members and legislative leaders on Saturday to sign a series of bills intended to 'protect Californians, respond to federal overreach and push back against Trump and Stephen Miller’s ‘secret police’ tactics in California,' the governor's office said. One measure would prohibit most law enforcement — including federal immigration agents — from concealing their faces while carrying out official duties, AP reported.

'We celebrate that diversity. It’s what makes California great. It’s what makes America great. It is under assault,' Newsom said at the press conference. 'This is the United States of America, and I’m really proud of the state of California and our state of mind that we’re pushing back against these authoritarian tendencies and actions of this administration.'

DHS and Newsom's press office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment.

The episode underscores the ongoing tension around political rhetoric and the potential for online remarks to trigger formal security reviews, as lawmakers weigh the boundaries of public discourse and accountability in a highly polarized political landscape.