Kristi Noem blames Gov. Newsom for truck collision that injured Bakersfield girl, Newsom fights back

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem slammed Gov. Gavin Newsom on X Thursday in connection with a truck collision that left a 5-year-old Bakersfield girl with skull fractures, prompting a response from Newsom’s office.

Dalilah Coleman, 5, was in a vehicle with her mother’s ex when they were involved in a six-vehicle collision with a semi-truck

in San Bernardino County in June of 2024.

Dalilah was airlifted to the hospital, where she was determined to have suffered a fractured skull and a broken leg, among other injuries.

In a press release Thursday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said “Governor Newsom’s Department of Motor Vehicles” issued a commercial driver’s license to Partap Singh, who is undocumented, according to the department.

Noem took to X to comment on the subject, demanding Newsom to “(stop) playing games with American lives” and that “dangerous aliens” — referring to Singh — have no right to be in the country.

“Dalilah Coleman’s tragedy was entirely preventable,” Noem said on X, quoting the Homeland Security’s post about Dalilah. “This is sadly another example of Gavin Newsom’s California DMV issuing an illegal alien a Commercial Driver’s License.”

Singh was arrested Aug. 29, 2025 in Fresno by the U.S. Immigrations and Custom Enforcement pursuant to a warrant, according to the department.

Newsom’s Press Office replied to Noem’s post, saying the federal government issued Singh a federal work permit – which was renewed after the collision – and made him eligible for a driver’s license in any state, not just in the state of California.

“It’s deeply disappointing to see Secretary Noem politicize such a horrific tragedy,” the office replied. “Madam Secretary, please stop peddling false and misleading information.”