California Governor Gavin Newsom has been referred to the Secret Service over a  tweet about Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

The official X account for his press office made a comment on Saturday morning, stating: ‘Kristi Noem is going to have a bad day today. You’re welcome, America.’

Bill Essayli, who is the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, announced that he had formally reported the post to the Secret Service for an investigation.

In a post on X, he stated: ‘We have a zero-tolerance policy for direct or implicit threats against government officials. I have referred this issue to @SecretService and requested a comprehensive threat assessment.’

Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at DHS, also criticized the governor’s team, labeling the post as ‘ugly’ and implying it was a covert threat.

McLaughlin wrote, ‘This seems like a threat. This is ugly, @GavinNewsom. Your team may hide behind their screens, spreading this kind of hostility but you would never dare say this to her face.’

Republican California Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez meanwhile accused Newsom of fomenting political violence. 

Sanchez told Fox News, ‘Our Governor can’t stop making inappropriate remarks. This kind of language is dangerous and increases the likelihood of future violence.’

California Governor Gavin Newsom has been referred to the Secret Service over a cryptic and possibly incendiary tweet about Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem

The controversy when the official X account of Newsom’s press office posted a remark many viewed as threatening toward Noem, head of the Department of Homeland Security

Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi confirmed that a referral had been received from the Department of Justice and the agency was reviewing the matter.

‘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 said. ‘Especially in a politically charged climate, such as this.’ 

Newsom’s tweet escalates an already ferocious feud with President Donald Trump and federal immigration officials after Newsom signed in new legislation targeting masked law enforcement agents.

He has outlawed most law enforcement, including federal immigration officers, from concealing their identities with face coverings while conducting official duties in California. 

The bill was quickly signed into law and denounced by federal officials.

‘We celebrate that diversity. It’s what makes California great. It’s what makes America great. It is under assault,’ Newsom said. 

‘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.’ 

The governor appeared with Democratic lawmakers and immigrant community leaders to champion what he called a ‘direct rebuke’ of Trump’s use of masked federal agents during recent mass immigration raids in Southern California.

‘The impact of these policies all across this city, our state and nation are terrifying,’ Newsom warned. 

Some saw Newsom’s tweet as a threat towards Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem

 Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at DHS blasted the governor’s team

Acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, Bill Essayli, announced he had formally referred the post to the Secret Service for investigation

Newsom’s tweet escalates an already ferocious feud with Trump and federal immigration officials just as Newsom signed legislation targeting masked law enforcement agents

‘It’s like a dystopian sci-fi movie. Unmarked cars, people in masks, people quite literally disappearing. 

‘No due process, no rights. Immigrants have rights, and we have the right to stand up and push back – and that’s what we’re doing here today.’ 

It makes California the first state to prohibit most law enforcement officers from covering their faces during official duties. 

The ban applies to ski masks, neck gaiters, balaclavas and other facial coverings. It includes exemptions for medical-grade respirators, tactical gear, and undercover officers. 

Newsom’s administration said the move was prompted by recent immigration sweeps in Los Angeles, where federal agents wearing masks made mass arrests without badge numbers or clear agency identification.

Critics say the tactic sows fear and violates civil liberties, but federal officials say it’s necessary to protect agents from public harassment and doxxing.

Protesters stand off against California National Guard soldiers at the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles in June

Newsom also approved new restrictions on immigration agents entering schools and hospitals without a warrant with $50million to fund legal challenges against the federal government

Newsom also approved new restrictions on immigration agents entering schools and hospitals without a warrant, and allocated $50 million to fund legal challenges against the federal government. 

Since the start of the year, that money has already funded over 40 lawsuits targeting the Trump administration.

‘Students cannot learn if they live in fear of being deported,’ said Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi. ‘The California Safe Haven Schools Act is a clear message to Donald Trump: keep ICE out of our schools.’ 

Opponents say the laws are dangerous and undermine federal authority, especially as the Supreme Court recently greenlit expanded immigration enforcement in Los Angeles.

But Newsom insists California won’t back down. ‘This is about standing up for democracy, for transparency, and for immigrant communities,’ he said.