California Governor Gavin Newsom said Monday that President Donald Trump directed the Department of Justice to investigate him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, accusing the administration of using the federal government as a tool for political retaliation. Newsom made the announcement in a video statement, claiming that federal agents have knocked on the doors of family friends and former employees in recent days, demanding records and abusing the grand jury process.
In his statement, Newsom said agents were not investigating a specific crime but rather “trying to find one,” demanding records and “digging through years and years of random documents.” He characterized the investigation as part of a broader pattern of Trump weaponizing the Justice Department against political opponents, citing previous investigations into figures including former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
According to Newsom’s aides, part of the federal investigation appears to focus on his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, a documentary filmmaker and advocate for gender equity. Newsom directly addressed the targeting of his wife in his statement, saying: “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.”
Newsom claimed he is being targeted because he is considering running for president, saying Trump is “coming after me because I am considering running for President. Because he hates that I have consistently called him out over and over again for his lies and deceit.” The governor added that his wife “has done nothing wrong, other than having the temerity to advocate for what she believes in.”
The investigation represents the latest flashpoint in an escalating conflict between Trump and Newsom, who have sparred repeatedly over immigration, California policies, and Trump’s conduct. Newsom’s office has not provided details about the specific subjects of the investigation or what documents federal agents have sought.
Sources
- California State Portal (CA.gov) — Governor Newsom’s full statement on the DOJ investigation, June 15, 2026
- The Guardian — Reporting on Newsom’s accusation that Trump directed the DOJ to investigate him and his wife
- Reuters — Newsom’s accusation of Trump directing a politically motivated investigation
- The New York Times — Details about the federal investigation appearing to focus on Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s finances
- USA Today — Reporting on federal agents contacting associates and subpoenaing records
