Listen to the article
President Trump’s firing of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has drawn sharp criticism from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who claims the move signals deeper troubles within the administration.
“Donald Trump is in retreat,” Newsom told an audience in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on Thursday evening during his national book tour. “Today is a perfect example — the first firing of a high-profile Cabinet member.”
The dismissal of Noem, once considered a MAGA loyalist who was implementing Trump’s controversial mass deportation policy, sent shockwaves through Washington’s political circles. Her removal comes amid mounting criticism of her performance from both Democrats and Republicans, including figures within Trump’s inner circle.
Newsom, who earlier took to social media with a succinct “BYE GIRL!” post after news of Noem’s firing broke, directed his criticism beyond the ousted secretary. He claimed that “the dark heart of the administration is not Kristi Noem, it’s Stephen Miller,” referencing Trump’s influential deputy chief of staff and longtime advisor who has shaped the administration’s immigration policies since Trump’s first presidential campaign.
“It had Noem’s fingerprints all over it, but it was Stephen Miller’s handbook, and he needs to be next,” Newsom added, referencing the Trump administration’s 2025 decision to deploy National Guard troops to California in response to immigration protests.
The California governor’s comments come as Democrats received encouraging news from Tuesday’s primary elections in Texas, where voter turnout surged to record levels. This development bodes well for Democrats ahead of the midterm elections, where Republicans are defending narrow majorities in both the House and Senate.
“Donald Trump is the leader of the get out the vote for the Democratic Party,” Newsom emphasized, suggesting the president’s polarizing presence is motivating opposition voters.
Newsom’s appearance in New Hampshire, traditionally the first primary state in presidential contests, has fueled speculation about his potential 2028 presidential ambitions. His recent book tour has taken him to other early voting states including South Carolina and Nevada, all of which are vying for prime positions in the Democratic Party’s 2028 nominating schedule.
The tour promotes Newsom’s memoir “Young Man in a Hurry,” which chronicles his journey from a child struggling with dyslexia to his role as California governor and prominent national political figure. However, the tour hasn’t been without controversy.
At a recent Los Angeles event, Newsom stirred debate by comparing Israel to an “apartheid state.” On Thursday, he clarified that he was referencing columnist Tom Friedman’s commentary about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies, particularly regarding the West Bank.
Addressing the ongoing U.S. and Israeli military campaign against Iran, which has resulted in the deaths of several Iranian leaders including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Newsom expressed frustration about the conflict. While acknowledging he wasn’t “naive about the last 37 years of [Khamenei’s] reign,” he criticized Trump for being “inarticulate and incapable of giving us the rationale of, why, why? Now, what’s the end game?”
Newsom joins a growing list of potential Democratic presidential contenders making early visits to New Hampshire. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who narrowly lost the state’s 2020 Democratic primary to Bernie Sanders, completed a three-day tour in February. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and California Representative Ro Khanna have also made recent appearances.
A February poll by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center showed Buttigieg leading the early 2028 Democratic field with 20% support, followed by Newsom and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York at 15% each. Former Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democrats’ 2024 nominee, and Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona each registered 10% support.
As the political landscape continues to evolve following Trump’s latest Cabinet shakeup, these early maneuvers by Democratic figures suggest an already active positioning for the post-Trump era, regardless of the outcome of this year’s midterm elections.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
14 Comments
The mining and energy sectors will no doubt be closely following these political developments, as they could signal potential changes in the administration’s approach to key resource issues. Newsom’s comments about Miller’s influence are particularly noteworthy in this context.
While Newsom’s rhetoric may be politically motivated, the dismissal of a high-profile figure like Noem does suggest there are internal dynamics at play that could have implications for the mining and energy sectors.
The mining and energy sectors must be keeping a close eye on these political dynamics. Noem’s removal could signal shifts in policy direction that may impact commodity markets and related equities.
It will be interesting to see if Newsom’s call for Miller’s removal gains any traction. That could potentially shake up the administration’s approach to key energy and resource issues.
The mining and energy sectors will undoubtedly be analyzing the potential policy implications of these political developments. Newsom’s focus on figures like Miller could signal shifts in the administration’s approach to key resource issues.
It remains to be seen whether Newsom’s calls for Miller’s removal will gain traction. But the fallout from Noem’s dismissal is certainly worth keeping an eye on for those with interests in the mining and energy industries.
Interesting development in the ongoing political drama. Trump’s dismissal of Noem seems to have ruffled some feathers, with Newsom calling it a sign of deeper troubles within the administration. Curious to see how this plays out.
Newsom’s criticism of Miller as the ‘dark heart’ of the administration is certainly provocative. It will be worth watching if this leads to any further political fallout.
Newsom seems intent on capitalizing on the Noem firing to attack the broader Trump administration. His comments about Trump being ‘in retreat’ reflect the ongoing partisan tensions in US politics.
While Newsom’s rhetoric may be politically charged, the dismissal of a high-profile Cabinet member like Noem does suggest there are internal dynamics at play that are worth monitoring.
Newsom’s call for Miller’s removal is a bold move, and it will be interesting to see if it gains any traction. The fallout from Noem’s dismissal could have ripple effects across the mining and energy industries, so stakeholders will be watching closely.
While the political dynamics at play may be complex, the potential policy shifts resulting from these developments could have significant implications for the mining and energy sectors. Careful analysis will be crucial in the weeks and months ahead.
Newsom’s characterization of Trump being ‘in retreat’ following Noem’s exit is a bold claim. However, the broader political dynamics surrounding this shakeup in the administration are sure to have ripple effects across various sectors, including mining and energy.
Newsom’s focus on figures like Miller could indicate a potential shift in the administration’s policy priorities. This is an important development for stakeholders in the mining and energy industries to monitor closely.