California Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday accused President Donald Trump of directing the Justice Department to investigate him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, in what he characterized as political retaliation tied to his potential 2028 presidential run.
In a video statement posted to social media, Newsom said Trump was coming after him “not because of my mean tweets” but “because I am considering running for President.” He called himself part of Trump’s political “hit list” and said federal agents had been knocking on the doors of family members, friends, and former employees seeking records.
“Not because they found a crime,” Newsom said. “Because they are simply trying to find one.”
Federal law enforcement officers in Sacramento have been conducting several investigations related to the governor since 2025, according to Reuters, citing a person familiar with the matter. The investigations did not originate in Washington but in California, the source said.
The investigation into Jennifer Siebel Newsom centers on taxes and relates to a nonprofit organization she co-founded, the California Partners Project, which promotes gender equity, according to Reuters. Gavin Newsom has solicited more than $4 million in donations to the group since 2020, state disclosures show.
Newsom’s accusations align with a documented pattern. A Reuters investigation published in November 2025 found that at least 470 people, organizations, and institutions have been targeted for retribution by the Trump administration since the beginning of his second term.
The Trump Justice Department has brought criminal charges against several perceived political enemies, including former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and former national security adviser John Bolton, according to Reuters. The department has also opened investigations into former U.S. officials who concluded Russia interfered in the 2016 election, Democratic lawmakers, and liberal donors.
Newsom and Trump have clashed for years over climate change, immigration enforcement, and the deployment of National Guard troops to California. Last year, Trump said he would support Newsom being arrested over his alleged obstruction of immigration enforcement in the state.
In his statement, Newsom directed his remarks at Trump: “You can subpoena my records. You can investigate me. You can harass me. Put my name on every and any enemy’s list you have, but leave my wife and family out of your personal vendetta.”
The White House referred questions to the Justice Department, which declined to comment. The California Partners Project did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Newsom, term-limited in his current role as governor, has ramped up his national profile and visited early primary states. He has said he would “be lying” if he claimed he was not considering a White House run.
Sources
- Reuters — Newsom’s accusation, investigation details, wife’s nonprofit involvement, donations, broader retribution pattern, and prior conflicts with Trump
- CalMatters — “hit list” claim, federal agents interviewing associates, Newsom’s statement
- The New York Times — Confirmation of Newsom’s accusations and broader DOJ investigations
