California Governor Gavin Newsom has accused former President Donald Trump of instigating federal investigations into his personal affairs, suggesting the probes are politically motivated as Newsom contemplates a 2028 presidential bid. In a video statement released on Monday, Newsom alleged that federal agents recently visited associates and former staff seeking documents and employing grand jury subpoenas to scrutinize his financial and nonprofit activities.
Newsom’s office disclosed that the investigations involve the FBI and Internal Revenue Service, focusing on the governor and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom. Although neither has been personally subpoenaed at this stage, officials anticipate that subpoenas for both are forthcoming. The couple regularly discloses their income, assets, and gifts in annual reports.
The inquiries follow previous federal scrutiny of Elaine Williamson, a former consultant to Newsom’s office who represented Activision Blizzard Inc.—a video game company embroiled in a high-profile sexual harassment lawsuit filed by California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing in 2021. Williamson was arrested last year after a multi-year investigation and pleaded guilty last month to lying to FBI agents about her role in allegedly passing confidential information to clients involved in litigation against the state.
Newsom’s office downplayed any direct connection between that case and the current probe, emphasizing that investigators appear now to be targeting the governor’s personal and charitable finances. Among the nonprofits under review are the Representation Project, founded by Siebel Newsom in 2011 to challenge gender stereotypes, and the California State Protocol Foundation, which supports state events and gubernatorial travel. The Representation Project has faced criticism for accepting donations from companies such as Pacific Gas & Electric Co. and AT&T, both of which have lobbied Newsom’s administration.
In his remarks, Newsom referenced previous Justice Department investigations targeting prominent Democrats—Senator Adam Schiff, New York Attorney General Letitia James, former FBI Director James Comey, and former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell—and characterized the current inquiry as part of a pattern of political retaliation by Trump against his adversaries. Newsom stated, “One by one, anyone who has challenged Donald Trump has ended up on his hit list.”
Federal prosecutors in Sacramento, led by U.S. Attorney Roger D. Handberg, who has an extensive career with the Justice Department and is noted for a nonpartisan approach, are overseeing the investigations. Handberg was appointed interim U.S. attorney in August and later confirmed by the district’s judicial panel.
Legal experts and political analysts note that while the investigations add pressure on Newsom, they could also galvanize support ahead of a potential presidential campaign. Republican consultant Mike Madrid observed that Trump’s targeting of political opponents often serves to elevate them within the Democratic Party.
Newsom’s office maintains that the renewed federal attention follows the failure of prior allegations related to Activision Blizzard and aims merely to uncover any wrongdoing in a broad and aggressive manner. The governor’s team responded swiftly to the developments by launching a fundraising effort appealing to supporters to help “fight off this political witch hunt.”
The investigation underscores increasing scrutiny of prominent Democrats as Trump continues to wield influence over federal law enforcement priorities, even as cases against some high-profile targets have been dismissed or remain unresolved. Meanwhile, Newsom’s critics warn that such probes could have serious implications should they uncover evidence of impropriety.