In Sacramento, California, Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom has publicly alleged that the U.S. Justice Department is conducting a politically motivated investigation against him and his wife. Newsom claims this move by the Trump administration is a strategic attack as he considers a possible presidential campaign.
In a video shared on the social media platform X, Newsom, who has long been a political adversary of former President Donald Trump, stated that federal agents have approached his friends and former staff members, requesting documents. Although he did not elaborate on the specifics of the investigation, his office indicated that the probe now appears to be delving into personal matters concerning Newsom’s family and professional associates.
“Donald Trump isn’t just coming after me because of my mean tweets,” Newsom remarked, alluding to his history of criticizing Trump on social media. “He’s targeting me because I’m contemplating a run for president and because he despises my consistent exposure of his falsehoods and deceit.”
The exact scope and details of the Justice Department’s investigations involving Newsom remain unclear. However, these developments are poised to fuel allegations from critics that the Trump administration might be manipulating the Justice Department to target political rivals.
Meanwhile, a source with knowledge of the situation refuted claims of a direct investigation targeting Newsom. Instead, they noted that multiple federal inquiries are ongoing concerning individuals in his circle, including an investigation into his wife’s tax affairs. This particular probe began last year, and according to the source, political leaders in Washington did not influence the decision to initiate it. The individual spoke under anonymity due to the sensitive nature of discussing ongoing investigations publicly.
Another probe is related to Newsom’s former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, who was indicted on federal charges that she was involved in a scheme to steal campaign money from former federal Health Secretary Xavier Becerra. Williamson in May pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy to commit bank fraud. That investigation, which was launched by President Joe Biden’s Justice Department, has expanded to include other staff, the person familiar with the matter said.
Newsom hasn’t been accused of any wrongdoing related to Williamson’s case.
The Justice Department declined to comment on Monday. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche declined to answer questions about Newsom during a brief photo opportunity with Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, on Capitol Hill Monday afternoon. Blanche had a scheduled meeting with Grassley to discuss his nomination to become attorney general.
They are the latest Justice Department investigations surrounding one of Trump’s political foes foes.
The Justice Department has also opened investigations into or brought prosecutions against former FBI Director James Comey,New York Attorney General Letitia James, former CIA director John Brennan and former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, among other perceived political enemies of the president.
“One by one, anyone who has challenged Donald Trump has ended up on his hit list, and today I proudly join that list,” Newsom said in the video.
Investigators have subpoenaed records, and agents have reached out to organizations and people connected to the governor and his wife, according to Newsom’s office. The governor’s office accused the Justice Department of “searching for a crime that does not exist.”
Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the governor’s wife, said the investigation showed that Trump is unfit for office.
“There are clearly no boundaries to what Donald Trump will do to get his way or to challenge those who get in his way,” she said in a statement.
The president has repeatedly gone after the Democrat-dominated state during his second term including by curbing a signature plan to reduce planet-warning emissions from cars, withholding aid for wildfire recovery and suing over state policies supporting transgender student-athletes. The state has pushed back by suing the federal government dozens of times.
Newsom also led a push to counteract a Trump-backed effort in Texas to redraw congressional districts to favor Republicans by championing a successful redistricting measure in California designed to win Democrats five additional House seats.
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