Gov. Newsom’s Press Office Sparks Threat Accusations with Kristi Noem Post Ahead of Kirk Memorial Weekend

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s press office is under fire after posting a message on X that many across the political spectrum interpreted as a threat toward DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. The post read: “Kristi Noem is going to have a bad day today. You’re welcome, America.” Coming less than two weeks after the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, the timing alone has left many Americans shaken.

Bill Essayli, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, wasted no time making clear how seriously the remark would be treated: “We have zero tolerance for direct or implicit threats against government officials. I’ve referred this matter to @SecretService and requested a full threat assessment.” His statement underscores how words—especially from a governor’s official channel—carry consequences that cannot be brushed aside.

For many conservatives, the echoes are chilling. Matt Walsh noted: “This is, nearly verbatim, what multiple accounts on this site were tweeting about Charlie prior to his assassination.” Siraj Hashmi pointed to Newsom’s prior denunciation of Kirk’s murder and added context with a screenshot captioned, “10 days apart.” Chloe Cole, the detransitioner who has become a strong voice against radical gender policies, called the behavior “psychopathic,” stressing how reckless it was for Newsom’s team to escalate rhetoric right after “the most significant political assassination of our lifetime.”

Others in government were equally alarmed. Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary at DHS, remarked that the post “reads like a threat,” blasting Newsom’s staff: “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.” White House Communications Director Steven Cheung called the post “beyond the pale and totally disgusting,” adding that this was the predictable outcome of “deranged Leftist lunatics” being allowed to represent the governor. Abigail Jackson, Deputy Press Secretary, simply asked the question many were thinking: “What the heck is this supposed to mean?”

Dan Scavino, Deputy Chief of Staff, was blunt: “These sick f@%s are going down a real dark path—They are total lunatics who hate America. Remember this at the polls!” Republican candidate for Ohio governor Vivek Ramaswamy urged restraint, saying: “This isn’t what America needs right now, @GavinNewsom. Come on man. Do better.”

Instead of walking back the statement, Newsom’s press office doubled down just hours later, quote-tweeting the “bad day” post with a press release announcing a new legislative package aimed at “protecting immigrant communities” and “holding Trump accountable.” Rather than ease tensions, this defiance reinforced concerns that Newsom and his team are comfortable normalizing inflammatory rhetoric at a time when the nation desperately needs cooler heads.

The pattern is not new. Newsom has a record of provocative remarks, having once promised on a podcast to “punch these sons of bitches in the mouth” when discussing Republicans. He previously promoted the “Trump is Dead” meme alongside Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and renamed a campaign event initially branded with the crude acronym “FAFO” (“F*** Around and Find Out”) shortly after Kirk’s assassination. Such language, while framed as partisan theater, fuels the very environment in which violent acts can be rationalized.

The tragedy of Charlie Kirk’s assassination remains fresh. On September 10, Kirk was gunned down while speaking to students at Utah Valley University. Utah’s Republican Governor Spencer Cox has since revealed disturbing details about the 22-year-old shooter, Tyler Robinson, who came from a conservative family but had immersed himself in radical subcultures—including a relationship with a transgender partner, explicit online communities, and troubling ideological interests that diverged sharply from his upbringing.

National leaders have treated Kirk’s murder with the gravity it deserves. President Donald Trump announced he will posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Vice President JD Vance and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger joined a growing chorus of voices honoring Kirk’s legacy as a fearless advocate for conservative values. Yet even as the nation grieves, Newsom’s words remind us of the stakes: when leaders normalize threats, mock violence, or minimize accountability, they set the stage for further division and unrest.

Actress Justine Bateman issued a timely warning: “Politicians, people act on what you say. Watch what you say.” Her words carry a truth too often overlooked—rhetoric matters. At a moment when America should be recommitting to civil discourse, Newsom’s reckless approach has underscored why so many distrust those who wield government power carelessly. For conservatives, the lesson is clear: words are not just noise in the digital ether—they shape a culture, they direct action, and they can either preserve or unravel the very freedoms we hold dear.