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Gavin Newsom · Justice Department · Political Investigation · Trump Administration
California Governor Gavin Newsom publicly accused the Trump administration's Justice Department of launching a politically motivated investigation into him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, asserting the probe targets his potential presidential bid and expands into personal and financial matters.
Newsom, a prominent Democratic rival, stated federal agents questioned friends and former employees, seeking records, while his office claims the DOJ is "searching for a crime that does not exist." An anonymous source familiar with the matter confirmed multiple federal probes around Newsom, including one into his wife's taxes, which began last year without political leadership involvement. Another investigation, initiated by President Joe Biden's Justice Department, led to Newsom's former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, pleading guilty in May to conspiracy to commit bank fraud related to campaign money theft from Xavier Becerra; Newsom has not been accused of wrongdoing in this case.
The Justice Department and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche declined comment. Newsom and his wife characterize these actions as part of a broader pattern where the Trump administration uses the Justice Department to target political opponents, citing investigations into figures like James Comey and Letitia James.
