Trump allies criticize Newsom over Noem tweet: ‘This reads like a threat’

President Trump’s allies on Saturday slammed California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) over a comment his press office made warning it would be a “bad day” for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

The initial comment from the governor’s office came after Newsom signed a bill into law protecting the state’s immigrant community following widespread protests against deportations that rocked Los Angeles in June.

“I think the actions we asserted today, the laws that we just advanced today run in complete contrast to what she’s asserting and what she’s pushing,” Newsom said at a Saturday press conference, referring to Noem.

Coinciding with the press conference was a tweet from his office that sparked the criticism.

“Kristi Noem is going to have a bad day today,” Newsom’s press office tweeted. “You’re welcome, America.”

That tweet led to heavy pushback from members of the Trump administration.

“This reads like a threat. This is ugly, @GavinNewsom,” Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin tweeted in response.

She went on to describe his staff as a “keyboard warrior team” that hides behind their laptops to “spew this kind of vitriol but you would never have the guts to say this to her face.” Her remarks come after Newsom’s office has taken an increasingly aggressive stance on social media, often imitating Trump’s style of tweeting in attacking the president’s administration.

Other Trump officials also took issue with the tweet.

“To make a threat like this, especially on the memorial weekend for Charlie, is beyond the pale and totally disgusting. This is what happens when Gavin Newsom lets deranged Leftist lunatics post messages on his behalf,” White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung wrote. 

Bill Essayli, the acting US Attorney for the Central District of California, said he referred Newsom’s post to Secret Service as a threat.

“We have zero tolerance for direct or implicit threats against government officials,” Essayli wrote in a statement on X.

“I’ve referred this matter to @SecretService and requested a full threat assessment.”

Vivek Ramaswamy, who’s running for the GOP nomination in Ohio’s gubernatorial race, also weighed in.

“This isn’t what America needs right now, @GavinNewsom,” Ramaswamy tweeted. “Come on man. Do better.”

The Democratic governor has become one of the most vocal Trump critics since sparring with the president following the decision to deploy hundreds of the state’s National Guard soldiers and Marines to the city earlier this year without Newsom’s approval.

Since then, the governor has sued the Trump administration for unlawful deployment and continues to pump out a series of posts mocking the president’s social media habits and past decisions.

The tensions come as Newsom is increasingly seen as one of the top potential 2028 Democratic presidential contenders.

On Saturday, Newsom responded to McLaughlin in a popular Spongebob meme text font with the words, “tHiS ReAdS LiKe a tHrEaT.”

He also included a screenshot of a Vanity Fair article juxtaposing Trump’s support for January 6 rioters and condemnation of former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) who he previously said should have “guns trained on her face” for slamming his 2024 reelection bid.

The Trump officials’ criticism comes amid heightened tensions in the U.S. following the assassination of conservative activist and top Trump ally Charlie Kirk during a speaking event in Utah. Kirk’s death has led to calls to tone down the political rhetoric on both sides, with Democrats and Republicans alike warning of the growing threat of political violence plaguing the country.