Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom is accusing the Justice Department of retaliation over a probe into him and his first partner.
Newsom claimed in a video posted Monday to X that investigators have knocked on the doors of his family, friends and former employees.
“Not because they found a crime; because they’re simply trying to find one,” Newsom said in the video. “They are demanding records and abusing the grand jury process.” (RELATED: Gavin Newsom’s Newest Election Law Could Open The Door To Major Voter Fraud)
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.
He isn’t coming after me because of mean tweets, but because I am considering running for President.… pic.twitter.com/tVYk3WUvO8
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 15, 2026
Newsom called out President Donald Trump directly, saying he isn’t just coming after him for “mean tweets” but rather because he is “considering running for president.”
He claimed Trump “can’t stand” that he continues “calling him out over his lies, over and over again.”
In the video posted to social media, Newsom also alleged that the Trump administration is targeting his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom.
“If he can’t intimidate me, he’ll go after the mother of our children,” Newsom said. “Donald Trump picked the wrong target. We have nothing to hide.”
Trump “can subpoena my records, you can investigate me, you can harass me, put my name on every and any enemies list you have, but leave my wife and family out of your personal vendetta,” Newsom said.
🚨 In a video posted to his X account just minutes ago, California Gov. Gavin Newsom accused President Trump of using the Justice Department to target him and his wife.
“He’s coming after me because I am considering running for president. To get me, he’s coming after my wife.”… pic.twitter.com/Xkb0aYfxiQ
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) June 15, 2026
The Daily Caller reached out to the DOJ, which declined to comment on the matter.
Siebel Newsom issued a statement to CNN’s Elex Michaelson, writing, “There are clearly no boundaries to what Donald Trump will do to get his way or to challenge those who get in his way. This is not presidential behavior, and the governor and I will continue to speak truth to power because the American people deserve so much more.”
The governor went on to launch a broader attack on Trump, calling him “a man with no character” and accusing him of “selling the presidency.”
“To Donald Trump, this country does not belong to you. It does not belong to your cronies. And we’re going to fight your lawlessness. And we’re going to continue to remind the people of this country of your corruption,” Newsom said.
A source familiar with the matter confirmed to the Caller that multiple investigations have been underway for about a year through the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sacramento.
The probes originated from whistleblower complaints and information provided by local California sources. While the exact number of active investigations has not been disclosed, one centers on his wife’s tax matters, and another involves his former chief of staff, with potential implications for current staff members as well. The full scope of that inquiry remains unclear.
Newsom’s former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, was indicted in November 2025 on federal charges tied to an alleged scheme to divert campaign funds from former U.S. Health and Human Services Sec. and California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra, for whom she previously worked. (RELATED: FBI Arrests California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Former Chief Of Staff)
The alleged conduct predated her time in Newsom’s administration. Williamson later pleaded guilty to three of the 23 charges.
A person familiar with the matter said federal investigators opened separate probes into Williamson and Siebel Newsom in 2025, conducting witness interviews and issuing grand jury subpoenas in both cases, according to CNN.
Newsom’s office has pointed to prior comments from Williamson’s attorney and said federal investigators previously offered Williamson leniency in exchange for information about Newsom, though she allegedly had none to provide.
Becerra is running to succeed Newsom as governor and will face Republican candidate Steve Hilton, who is backed by Trump, in the general election. During the primary, several candidates criticized Becerra over Williamson’s conduct, while Becerra has said he was not implicated. (RELATED: Major Oil Association Fires Back After Gavin Newsom’s Attack On Chevron Gas Stations)
The New York Times first reported the announcement from Newsom, who claims the scope of the probe is still unclear.