Overview

• Gov. Gavin Newsom’s press office wrote on X, “Kristi Noem is going to have a bad day today. You’re welcome, America,” on Sept. 20.
• DHS Secretary Kristi Noem told Fox News the post was cryptic and really menacing and said it immediately panicked her family and friends.
• Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli referred the post to the Secret Service and requested a full threat assessment, which remains under review.
• White House communications director Steven Cheung and DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned the message as reading like a threat.
• Newsom mocked the criticism with a SpongeBob meme as media outlets divided over whether the post was a threat or mockery, with sensitivity heightened by the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk.