Gavin Newsom says Trump's Justice Department is investigating him

• California Gov. Gavin Newsom claims he and his wife are being investigated by the Department of Justice at the direction of President Donald Trump.
• Newsom alleges the investigation is politically motivated because he is a potential 2028 presidential candidate and a vocal critic of Trump.
• The governor's office stated that federal agents have contacted associates of Newsom and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and subpoenaed records.
• The White House and the Justice Department have not yet commented on the allegations.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, an outspoken Democrat who has long sparred with the commander in chief on social media, said President Donald Trump's Department of Justice is investigating him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom.

"Today, my wife & I joined Donald Trump’s hit list. He has directed his Department of Justice to investigate us. They have not found a crime – they are simply trying to find one," Newsom said in a June 15 video posted on X. "He isn't coming after me because of mean tweets, but because I am considering running for President."

Newsom said the FBI has knocked on the doors of family, friends and former employees while appearing to target his wife. Newsom added that Trump "hates that I consistently call him out. He is simply the most corrupt President in American history."

Newsom's comments about an alleged DOJ investigation are the latest in an ongoing war of words between the current president and the possible 2028 presidential candidate. Newsom has said repeatedly, including at the World Economic Forum in January, that the U.S. is witnessing corruption under Trump at a scale it has never seen before.

In his nearly five-minute video released June 15, the governor said he believes Trump is weaponizing institutions like the FBI and the Justice Department against his enemies. Newsom named former FBI Director James Comey, former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California, as noted Trump foes.

"One by one, anyone who has challenged Donald Trump has ended up on his hit list," Newsom said. "Today, I proudly join that list."

Newsom's wife, former chief of staff targeted in probe

Newsom's office also sent a letter to the DOJ formally requesting any records relevant to the probe.

In the June 15 Freedom of Information Act letter to the office of Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, David Sapp, Newsom’s legal affairs secretary, is seeking access to "all documents and records, including but not limited to memoranda, emails, text messages, and Signal messages" about the investigation. The governor's office requested that the AG's office respond by July 6.

The White House declined to comment in response to Newsom’s accusations and referred questions to the Justice Department, which also declined to comment.

A source familiar with the matter said the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California has pursued several investigations targeting Newsom for about a year after information was brought to the office’s attention by whistleblowers.

One of the investigations is related to Newsom’s wife and her taxes, the source said, and another involves Newsom’s former chief of staff Dana Williamson and potentially current staff members.

Williamson, also a onetime top political adviser to former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, pleaded guilty in federal court on May 14 after accepting a plea deal to multiple charges, including committing bank and wire fraud, filing a false tax return, and lying to the FBI.

Williamson was Becerra’s campaign manager when Becerra ran for California attorney general in 2018. Williamson admitted to diverting $225,000 from a dormant Beccera campaign account to Sean McCluskie, Becerra’s longtime chief of staff.

Last week, Becerra became the Democratic nominee for governor in California. He has not been accused of any wrongdoing and has denied any knowledge of the fraud.

DOJ seeking records, conducting interviews, Newsom says

Newsom said in his video that the FBI is searching for nothing, saying they have spent "years and years" looking for random documents and knocking on the doors of family friends and associates attempting to find evidence of an unspecified crime.

Newsom's office said in a fact sheet provided to USA TODAY that several people associated with the governor and his wife have been contacted by federal agents in the past week. Federal agents also have subpoenaed records and conducted interviews spanning years of personal and professional activity, according to the governor's office.

Siebel Newsom, the governor's wife, who goes by the title First Partner, instead of first lady, is a documentary filmmaker whose work focuses on the social impacts of sexism. She owns a film production company, Girls Club Entertainment, and has founded a nonprofit called the Representation Project that advocates for gender equity.

The governor’s office intimated that the federal government was investigating payments made to Siebel Newsom’s film production company.

Newsom said in his video that Trump called for his arrest last year and warned the president to stay away from his family.

"You can subpoena my records. You can investigate me. You can harass me," Newsom said. "Put my name on every and any enemies list you have, but leave my wife and family out of your personal vendetta."

Newsom and Trump consistently trade barbs

Trump has been a frequent target of Newsom's attacks on social media. The governor has taken shots at Trump for falling asleep during meetings, calling him "Dozy Don," and accuses the president of being inept.

The president gives it right back, frequently calling the governor "Gavin Newscum." Trump said in March that presidents should not have a "learning disability," referring to Newsom's openness about his dyslexia.  

"We have a low-IQ person,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on March 17. "Honestly, I am all for people with learning disabilities, but not for my president. I don't think a president should have a learning disability.

"Everything about him is dumb," Trump added.

In his video, Newsom said that Trump "hit the wrong target" and he and his wife "have nothing to hide." The governor said if the Justice Department wants to find corruption, it should look at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the address of the White House.

"Mr. President, come after me. I am not going anywhere," Newsom continued. "The country is watching."