By Maya C. Miller, Wendy Fry and Lynn La, CalMatters
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday accused President Donald Trump of placing him and his wife on a political “hit list” and directing federal investigators to go on a “fishing expedition” for a crime it could use to indict him.
The Democratic governor declared that the president was targeting him because Newsom is considering a run for president in 2028.
“In recent days, federal agents have knocked on the doors of family friends and former employees,” Newsom said in the video. “Not because they found a crime, but because they simply are trying to find one.”
Newsom stated that he was “proud” to join Trump’s so-called “enemies list” that has also included former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the former vice presidential candidate.
According to a person in the Department of Justice who is familiar with the investigation, there have been at least two criminal investigations into Newsom ongoing for a year in the Eastern District of California.
They originated from whistleblowers and people in Sacramento regarding the first partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s taxes and the separate investigation into Newsom’s former chief of staff Dana Williamson, who pleaded guilty in May in a corruption scandal that has not implicated the governor.
Newsom’s office characterized the investigative activity as an unfounded attack federal prosecutors undertook when they hit a dead end with the Williamson investigation. Investigators have been digging into private and “deeply personal matters” of the Newsom family, including the couple’s marriage, his office said.
The governor claimed that federal agents were demanding records and “abusing the grand jury process” by “digging through years and years of random documents.” Neither the governor nor Siebel Newsom have received subpoenas yet, Newsom’s office said, but he “looks forward” to receiving them.
Newsom’s office told reporters that given how specific some of the investigators’ questions were, they believe federal agents have issued subpoenas for the financial records for businesses associated with the Newsoms.
Newsom came to office with a successful hospitality company called PlumpJack, which he has placed in a blind trust. Siebel Newsom is a filmmaker who leads nonprofit groups called the California Partners Project and the Representation Project.
Newsom solicited at least $1.9 million in charitable payments known as ‘behested payments’ in 2024 and 2025 for Siebel Newsom’s California Partners Project, which champions gender equity, including $1 million from the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, according to disclosure reports filed with the Fair Political Practices Commission.
His office said federal agents have contacted more than a dozen friends, former employees, business associates, donors, and organizations connected to the Newsoms but did not specify further.
The accusations first came in a fiery video statement released Monday, but provided no concrete evidence that the president had orchestrated such a probe and did not identify any of the associated groups or people he said the Justice Department was looking into.
Newsom’s office insists that the department is hunting for a new crime to pin on the governor after coming up empty-handed following its arrest of Williamson. That initial probe was first opened by the Department of Justice during the Biden administration.
Williamson was indicted on wire fraud charges for funneling money from a dormant campaign account belonging to Xavier Becerra, the former Biden health secretary and the frontrunner to succeed Newsom as governor.
An attorney for Williamson, Matthew Rowan, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.
The White House referred questions about Newsom’s comments to the Department of Justice. A Department of Justice spokesperson did not immediately respond.
“You can subpoena my records. You can investigate me. You can harass me. Put my name on any and every enemies list that you have,” Newsom said. “But leave my wife and family out of your personal vendetta!”
Trump’s regime takes its playbook from 1930’s Germany.
The guy who wanted to pay Jan 6th terrorists for beating cops because their just prosecutions were “weaponized” is now literally weaponizing the DOJ to go after political rivals. This should surprise no one but the hopelessly stupid.
Gov. Newsom would be completely devastated if he was not on 46’s hit list. Being on the hit list only means more votes, and I doubt Newsom wants off the “S” list. I believe Newsom will be the one who runs on the (D) side for POTUS. Some say it will be former VP Kamala Harris, but she did poorly in 2024 and donors will be unwilling to back her again. Gavin very well could pull it off and win big, but he has a LOT of HUGE hurdles in front of him. For me, Pete Buttigieg would be the best choice for so many reasons, so let’s see what the future holds for Mayor Pete.
BEES – why would he be on Biden’s hitlist? WTH are you on about again?
This should not be trivialized. This is a blatant corruption of power by the president. He is wasting OUR money on a personal agenda, AS ALWAYS.
Where are all the “wHuT AbOuT mY tAX doLluRS?” people? This use of our hard earned money is OK to you, but not healthcare or higher education? This is why our nation is so stupid.
BeenKneed Memory care is a thing and you seem to forget you are a Teapublican. Apparently Newsom enjoys being the target of a fishing expedition according ro you, and you seem to be OK with the DOJ being weaponized at taxpayer.expense. You should limit your posts today because this one was nonsense.
The most interesting part of Newsom’s post to me was the fact that he stated so clearly that he’s considering a run for President. Usually politicians are coy and evasive about this, so it’s kind of refreshing to see it so plainly stated.
The fact that Trump’s DOJ is investigating him isn’t at all surprising given Trump’s obsession with revenge and projection. What else is new?
If Newsom does run, I don’t know if he’ll win, but he’ll have zero trouble turning JD Vance into a bowl of hairy pudding with eyeliner.
I’m sure Newsom has nothing to hide. Why is he so worried? Ehhh….
Unfamiliar with the whole US constitution and bill of rights thing, eh?
BASIC – we have laws. Why do oppose them being followed?
Sounds like Newsom is being treated the same way Trump was treated.
Ironic.
I’m sure Newsom is innocent and the courts will find him so, but if he is found guilty will Democrats fight and set the state on fire?
BTW why was Newsom dining with unrelated people at a fancy restaurant during Covid lockdowns?
Why were public schools closed while his kids attended private schools thst were open?
Why were his kids not vaccinated while ca schools coerced kids to be vaxxed and tested regularly.
Where did the $24Billion in homeless funds go while the humanitarian crisis increased.,
Why are we subsidizing $31 Billion each year to people who broke the country’s laws and came here illegally?
Where did the $30+.Billion go for the railroad to nowhere with zero tracks laid after how many years?
Why are fire break roads designed to protect people and towns not maintained?
Where did the billions go for increasing water storage years ago?
Huh, common theme here. Where have billions gone? He admits he cannot account for the middung money.
Heck let’s reelect him! Thank goodness he’s termed out!
But again stop wit the theatrics. What was good for the goose is good for the gander.
Let the investigations run.
I’m sure he’s innocent.
It’s really simple:
Trump constantly engages in criminal activity.
Newsom doesn’t.
SBLETS – No need to read past your first sentence which is a total, absolute lie. Trump committed and was convicted of crimes after MULTIPLE charges based on undeniable actions. Newsom has yet to be charged with ANY crime.
Nothing you stated was a crime.
I have one word for you: chemtrails
Newsom is not named in the Epstein files.
Everyone weaponizing the DOJ should be jailed.