Newsom knows exactly what he's doing by blaming Trump | Opinion

I'm loath to admit it, but California Gov. Gavin Newsom has a real shot at the Democratic presidential nomination.

He's handsome, intelligent and charming enough to appeal to voters without being smarmy. After running the state with the largest gross domestic product in the nation, he carries genuine gravitas. And he's shown self-awareness about his weaknesses, making a push toward the center and sitting down with conservatives like the late Charlie Kirk on his podcast in 2025.

This is why the latest news about Newsom and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, being under investigation by the Department of Justice comes at an interesting time. The governor says it's political.

"Donald Trump isn't just coming after me because of my mean tweets," Newsom said in a video posted to X on June 15. "He's coming after me because I am considering running for president." He went on: "One by one, anyone who has challenged Donald Trump has ended up on his hit list. And today, I proudly join that list."

Given President Trump's tendency to use the DOJ against political opponents, Newsom's defensive reaction seems understandable at first glance – maybe even accurate.

But the details of the investigation raise questions about his timing and motive, especially given his presidential ambitions. This looks more like a classic public relations move, turning a potential campaign killer into a sympathy generator among Democratic voters. If Newsom has learned anything from running California, it's never to let a crisis go to waste.

Gavin Newsom isn't the target in DOJ investigation

Newsom's claims deserve scrutiny. He isn't the target, Trump wasn't the instigator and the investigation didn't just start.

The Los Angeles Times reports that two probes are underway: Federal investigators are examining the California first lady’s tax filings for potential personal use of nonprofit funds. Newsom's former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, is also under investigation – and this isn't news, either.

According to the LA Times, both probes have been underway for a year and were launched by federal prosecutors in Sacramento based on information from whistleblowers, not a directive from Trump.

Williamson's case is particularly damning. Federal authorities arrested her after a three-year investigation that began during the Biden administration and indicted her in November. On May 14, she pleaded guilty to charges involving stolen campaign funds, fraud and false statements.

"I think there's serious reason to doubt the narrative that's being offered by Gavin Newsom, which is that he is being specifically targeted by Donald Trump for political retribution," said CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig.

So why spin it?

Why this – and why now?

If Siebel Newsom and Williamson have been under investigation for a year, launched by whistleblowers rather than Trump, it's worth asking why the governor issued such a strong statement now. He not only claimed he was the target of a politicized DOJ, but framed it as a badge of honor – proud to stand alongside other Democrats Trump has supposedly targeted.

Based on his statement and the timing, Newsom is showing savvy political skill – the same skill that's kept him popular in California despite high taxes and rampant homelessness. He knows it serves him to get out ahead of this and frame the investigations as Trump's political retribution, even if that claim is baseless. Martyrdom at the hands of a Republican plays well in a blue state – and in a Democratic presidential primary.

Newsom mentioned his presidential ambitions because, while he has them, his chances don't look especially good. A poll of registered voters released June 12 by Noble Predictive Insights showed him trailing former Vice President Kamala Harris by a wide margin, 14% to her 27%. He could use the boost this crisis hands him, if he can spin it well enough.

Newsom has been working to maintain relevance and broaden his appeal to Democratic voters. This latest move is another iteration of that effort, a sign of real political savvy, even if it's largely fiction. He broke news about an investigation that had been underway for a year, claimed Trump was targeting him despite having no hand in starting it, and never bothered to address the serious allegations against his wife and former chief of staff.

It's consistent with his push to appear moderate when he's actually a far-left progressive. That image, like this claim, is calculated. Neither is true.

Nicole Russell is an opinion columnist with USA TODAY. She lives in Texas with her four kids. Sign up for her newsletter, The Right Track, and get it delivered to your inbox.