Gavin Newsom Claims Trump Justice Department is Investigating Him and His Wife

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the Department of Justice is investigating him and his wife, amid claims of political targeting by President Trump.

California Governor Gavin Newsom stated on Monday that he and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, are under investigation by the Department of Justice. This announcement follows the indictment of Newsom's former chief of staff in a separate case.

In a video shared on social media, Newsom alleged that President Donald Trump is attempting to intimidate him by also targeting his wife. He remarked, "If he can’t intimidate me, he’ll go after the mother of our children. Donald Trump picked the wrong target. We have nothing to hide."

A source familiar with the investigation informed CNN that there is no direct inquiry into Newsom himself. Instead, the Eastern District of California is leading investigations into individuals connected to him, including his wife, regarding possible tax-related offenses. This source clarified that the political leadership of the Justice Department was not involved in initiating this investigation, which was reportedly triggered by whistleblower reports from the previous year.

Newsom emphasized that Trump can attempt to subpoena his records and harass him, but he insisted that his family should be left out of Trump's personal vendetta. CNN has reached out to the FBI for comments, but the Justice Department has not responded.

The New York Times was the first to report on Newsom's claims. At 58 years old, Newsom has emerged as a prominent opponent of Trump, frequently mocking the president's approach on social media. The two have had notable clashes, particularly over immigration policies, including a failed attempt by Trump to federalize the California National Guard.

During the recent midterm elections, Trump pushed for a redistricting plan in Texas to enhance Republican representation, while Newsom successfully campaigned for a measure in California that could potentially increase Democratic seats in Congress. Newsom is viewed as a likely candidate for the 2028 presidential election, a race that is expected to attract many contenders eager to demonstrate their capability to challenge Trump.

Newsom's office revealed that federal agents have contacted various individuals and organizations linked to both him and his wife, issuing subpoenas and conducting interviews concerning years of personal and professional activities. Recently, the scope of the federal inquiry has expanded to include Newsom's family and professional connections.

Dana Williamson, Newsom's former chief of staff, was indicted in November 2025 on federal charges related to an alleged scheme to misappropriate campaign funds from former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, for whom she previously worked. These allegations originated before her tenure with Newsom. Williamson pleaded guilty to three out of the 23 charges last month.

Investigations pertaining to both Williamson and Jennifer Siebel Newsom began last year, according to a source. Since then, investigators have conducted interviews with potential witnesses and issued grand jury subpoenas for both cases. Newsom's office pointed out that investigators had offered Williamson leniency in exchange for information regarding Newsom, but she reportedly had nothing to disclose.

Currently, Becerra is campaigning to succeed Newsom as governor, facing Republican Steve Hilton, who has Trump’s support, in the upcoming general election in November. During the primary elections, several prominent candidates criticized Becerra for Williamson’s actions, but he has maintained that he was not implicated in any wrongdoing.

The Justice Department has initiated investigations into several of Trump's political adversaries, many of which have faced setbacks in court. Cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James were dismissed by judges who determined that the U.S. attorney managing the cases was improperly serving.

Attempts to bring charges against James have not been successful. Additionally, a grand jury in North Carolina recently indicted Comey in an unrelated matter for a social media post featuring seashells arranged to read '86 47,' a reference to Trump as the 47th president.

The Justice Department is also conducting a prolonged criminal investigation into former CIA Director John Brennan, a vocal critic of Trump. Furthermore, a recent report by CNN indicated that the Justice Department has initiated an inquiry concerning E. Jean Carroll, who has accused Trump of misconduct.

In his video, Newsom criticized Trump, labeling him as "a man with no character" and accused him of commodifying the presidency. Newsom asserted, "To Donald Trump, this country does not belong to you. It does not belong to your cronies. And we’re going to fight your lawlessness. And we’re going to continue to remind the people of this country of your corruption."

This story is ongoing and will be updated as new information becomes available.