California Governor Gavin Newsom Accuses Justice Department of Investigating Wife and Former Staff on Political Grounds
California Governor Gavin Newsom has publicly declared that the U.S. Department of Justice is probing his wife, former chief of staff, and associates – a claim he says is retaliation for his outspoken opposition to President Donald Trump.
In a video posted on Monday, Newsom said, “In recent days, federal agents have knocked on the door of family, friends and former employees – not because they found a crime, they’re simply trying to find one.”
The governor also linked the probes to speculation that he might run for president in 2028, saying Trump was “coming after me because I’m considering running for president.”
A source familiar with the investigations confirmed to the BBC that “several investigations are ongoing” for roughly a year, though it denied any involvement from Trump.
Officials said the probes began in California, working through whistleblowers and government sources. One investigation pertains to Newsom’s wife’s tax records, while another involves a former chief of staff.
Newsom did not name which chief of staff is under scrutiny, nor did he say which aides are being investigated. The former chief of staff, political operative Dana Williamson, pleaded guilty in May to federal charges related to a campaign‑finance fraud scheme that did not implicate Newsom.
Newsom also accused the federal investigators of “demanding records” and “abusing the grand jury process.”
He said the investigation is a form of political persecution, further asserting that “one by one, anyone who has challenged Donald Trump has ended up on his hit list.”
A court‑fired list of past DOJ actions includes charges against former FBI Director James Comey, the unsuccessful prosecution of New York Attorney General Letitia James, and a probe into former Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell over alleged financial mismanagement.
The White House and Justice Department declined to comment on the allegations.
Newsom’s office has stated that Williamson’s conduct was “entirely unrelated to him.” The governor’s public stance and the ongoing investigations underscore a deeper conflict between California’s leadership and the federal administration as the 2028 election approaches.
