Gavin Newsom calls Kristi Noem a 'scapegoat' for Stephen Miller’s hardline immigration policies

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Gavin Newsom claimed that Kristi Noem was “just a scapegoat” following her sudden dismissal as Homeland Security Secretary, arguing that the real mastermind behind the administration’s immigration crackdown is White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller.

Speaking during an event, the California governor described Miller as the “dark heart” of the Trump administration and suggested he should be the next official to face consequences. 

Newsom targets Miller behind Noem's dismissal

While in New Hampshire promoting his new book, 'Young Man in a Hurry,' Newsom told the crowd that the focus should stay on the creator of the deportation policies rather than those carrying them out.

“Let’s be honest here. The dark heart of this administration is not known, it’s Stephen Miller and he needs to be next. And it’s really true,” Newsom said. 

He argued that Noem was simply following a strategy created by Miller. Newsom explained that his experience in California gives him a clear view of how these plans are made.

“In so many ways, she’s just a scapegoat in all this. Everything she was doing was designed by Miller. And I don’t think it, I know it, remember where I come from, California. Future, in this respect, happened in California first,” he remarked.

He later took the issue to social media, posting a clip of the event to X with a blunt warning, stating, “You’re next, Stephen."

How the incident happened

The situation unfolded late Thursday after President Donald Trump was reportedly infuriated by Noem’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

During a tense exchange with Senator John Kennedy (R-LA), Noem claimed the president had commissioned a $220 million advertising campaign designed to encourage undocumented migrants to self-deport.

Following the testimony, Trump moved to replace her with Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), signaling a rapid shift in leadership at the Department of Homeland Security.

Newsom claims Trump is in retreat after removing Noem

Earlier, during the interview, Governor Newsom also slammed President Trump as being “in retreat” following the dismissal of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, labeling the move a sign of “weakness masquerading as strength.”

“Donald Trump is in retreat. Today is a perfect example of that, with the first firing of a high-profile Cabinet member,” Newsom stated.

He suggested that the administration is struggling to maintain its ground because of the “steel spine of citizens that stood up, real patriots in this country, pushed back against all that.”

The governor noted that this shift is visible in places like Minnesota and globally, claiming that the president is simply “acting out as he always does."