California Governor Gavin Newsom has publicly accused the US Department of Justice of investigating people within his close circle, including his wife and former staff members, asserting that these actions are a direct consequence of his political opposition to former President Donald Trump. In a recent video statement, Governor Newsom claimed that federal agents have been contacting family, friends, and ex-employees, not because a crime has been discovered, but in an effort to uncover one.
Newsom, a prominent Democrat, acknowledged widespread speculation about a potential White House bid in 2028, directly linking the alleged investigations to his presidential ambitions. He stated that Trump was 'coming after me because I'm considering running for president,' framing the probes as an act of political persecution. The Governor also alleged that the investigation into his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, is specifically intended to harm him, adding that anyone who challenges Donald Trump ends up on his 'hit list.'
A source familiar with the investigations confirmed that 'several investigations' have been ongoing for 'roughly a year' and are being handled by federal prosecutors in Sacramento. However, this source explicitly denied any direct involvement from Donald Trump. The individual, who requested anonymity due to the ongoing nature of the cases, indicated that the investigations 'all originated out of California, working through whistleblowers and government sources.'
Among the reported investigations, one pertains to Governor Newsom's wife's taxes, while another is related to a former chief of staff. The specific former chief of staff was not named, nor did Newsom specify which current or former aides were under scrutiny. This comes after Dana Williamson, a former chief of staff for Newsom and a long-standing California political operative, pleaded guilty to federal charges in May concerning a campaign finance fraud scheme, although this particular case did not implicate Governor Newsom himself.
Governor Newsom has increasingly raised his national profile by positioning himself as a vocal critic of Donald Trump. His press team has been noted for mocking Trump's social media style, and Newsom successfully pushed to redraw California's congressional districts after Trump encouraged several Republican-led states to revise their maps. This public rivalry has fuelled long-standing speculation among political commentators that Newsom intends to seek the presidency in the 2028 election.
The Justice Department has previously initiated prosecutions or investigations into other notable critics or political adversaries of Donald Trump over the past two years. Examples include former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and former Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. Both the White House and the Justice Department have declined to comment on Governor Newsom's recent allegations.