Gavin Newsom Says Trump Ordered DOJ to Investigate Him and His Wife

Summary:

• California Governor Gavin Newsom accused Trump of politically motivated investigation, citing harassment to derail his potential presidential run. Federal agents reportedly contacted family and friends, demanded records, and used grand jury process. Newsom framed probe as retaliation for criticism and ambitions, joining others targeted by administration.

• Trump endorsed arresting Newsom last year during clashes over immigration enforcement. Newsom identified Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche as Trump’s former personal attorney. White House and Justice Department had not publicly responded to Newsom’s claims.

• Allegations against Newsom are unverified, no charges filed. Newsom, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidate, accused Trump of corruption and targeting challengers.

California Governor Gavin Newsom said Monday that President Donald Trump directed the Department of Justice to investigate him and his wife, documentary filmmaker Jennifer Siebel Newsom, describing the effort as a politically motivated attempt to derail a possible presidential campaign.

In a video statement posted to X, Newsom said federal agents have in recent days contacted family friends and former employees, demanded records and used the grand jury process to review years of documents. “Not because they found a crime. Because they are simply trying to find one,” he said. Newsom did not specify what the investigation concerns and said he was unsure of its scope.

Newsom framed the probe as retaliation for his criticism of the president and his own political ambitions. He said the effort reached his home and his wife, who runs the nonprofit The Representation Project. “He’s coming after me because I am considering running for President,” Newsom said, before adding that Trump is “simply the most corrupt President in American history.”

The governor placed the investigation alongside what he described as a broader pattern, naming former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, Senator Adam Schiff and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as others targeted by the administration. “One by one, anyone who has challenged Donald Trump has ended up on his hit list. And today, I proudly join that list,” he said.

Trump last year endorsed the idea of arresting Newsom during clashes between the administration and California officials over immigration enforcement in Los Angeles. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, whom Newsom identified as Trump’s former personal attorney, said in April that it is appropriate for a president to direct investigations.

As of publication, the White House and the Justice Department had not publicly responded to Newsom’s specific claims.

The allegations could not be independently verified, and no charges have been filed. Newsom, whose term ends in January 2027, is widely viewed as a potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidate.