California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom said Monday that he and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, are the focus of a federal investigation, which he alleges was initiated for political reasons by President Donald Trump.
In a post on X, Newsom wrote, “Today, my wife & I joined Donald Trump’s hit list. He has directed his Department of Justice to investigate us,” referring to Jennifer Siebel Newsom.
The governor later expanded on the allegation in a video posted to X, claiming federal agents have been contacting people connected to him.
According to Newsom, agents have “knocked on the doors of family friends and former employees. Not because they’ve found a crime, but because they’re trying to find one.” He also said investigators have sought records and “random documents.”
However, there is quite a bit of commotion surrounding Newsom and his office that has, quite clearly, nothing to do with President Trump. According to two sources familiar with the matter, the investigation is reportedly being handled through the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California under U.S. Attorney Eric Grant, rather than through the office of U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, reports NBC News.
Additionally, the inquiry follows a separate case in the same district involving Dana Williamson, Newsom’s former chief of staff, who pleaded guilty last month to several federal charges.
One source indicated that Jennifer Siebel Newsom is being investigated regarding “her taxes.” The nature and scope of any investigation involving the governor himself remains unclear.
Newsom declined to discuss the specific focus of the investigation, and continued, “they’re coming after my wife, Jen, a public servant, a woman who’s dedicated her life to supporting women and girls, someone who has done nothing wrong other than having the temerity to advocate for what she believes in.”
He added, “If they can’t intimidate me, they’ll go after the mother of our children. Donald Trump picked the wrong target. We have nothing to hide.”
During a call with reporters Monday, aides to the governor said FBI and IRS agents had contacted more than a dozen individuals regarding Newsom and his wife. According to those aides, some questions involved specific financial transactions that suggested investigators had obtained access to business records or credit card statements through subpoenas. The governor’s office said it was not aware of any subpoenas issued directly to Newsom or his wife.
A fact sheet distributed by the governor’s office stated that investigators have sought records and conducted interviews involving organizations tied to the Newsom family.
“In recent weeks, as Todd Blanche (the President’s personal attorney) took over as the acting head of DOJ, investigators have expanded their inquiry into increasingly personal matters involving the Governor’s family and professional network,” the document stated.