California Governor Gavin Newsom and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, are the subjects of multiple federal investigations, a development the governor described on Monday as politically motivated and directed by former President Donald Trump. The investigations involve outreach by federal agents to friends, associates, and former employees linked to the Newsoms, with some subpoenas reportedly issued for financial documents, though full details of the probes remain unclear.
In a video statement posted on social media, Newsom said agents have contacted individuals connected to his family and professional network. He acknowledged that the investigations include one examining Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s finances. The governor asserted that the efforts to scrutinize him and his wife are a response to his vocal criticism of Trump and his potential 2028 presidential campaign bid. “Donald Trump isn’t just coming after me because of my mean tweets,” Newsom said. “He’s coming after me because I am considering running for president. To get me, he’s coming after my wife.”
Newsom and his office have criticized the inquiries as baseless, accusing the Justice Department of conducting a fishing expedition targeting the governor and his family without evidence of wrongdoing. Jennifer Siebel Newsom echoed these sentiments, stating the investigation demonstrated the extent to which Trump would go to target opponents.
A person familiar with the investigations, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that two federal probes related to the Newsoms are underway. One investigation concerns the governor’s former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, who pleaded guilty last month to multiple felony charges connected to a corruption scheme involving campaign funds. Another inquiry focuses on Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s tax affairs. According to this source, these investigations were initiated by federal law enforcement officials in California based on whistleblower information and were not directed by Washington political leadership. Officials in the Justice Department and the U.S. Attorney’s office in Sacramento declined to confirm or deny the existence of the probes.
The Justice Department has recently examined several individuals affiliated with Trump’s political and government rivals, including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. However, Newsom’s team emphasized that their inquiries have expanded into personal aspects of the governor’s family life, which they described as an overreach and politically driven.
The announcement of the investigations comes amid heightened tension between Trump and California’s Democratic leadership. During his presidency, Trump frequently clashed with the state over environmental policies, wildfire recovery aid, and transgender rights, and California has responded with numerous lawsuits against the federal government.
While Newsom has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing, the probes have added to the ongoing political controversy surrounding the former president’s use of federal agencies. Newsom declared, “Put my name on every and any enemies list you have, but leave my wife and family out of your personal vendetta.”