California Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) said Monday that the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating him and his wife, Jennifer Newsom [1, 2].
The announcement signals a deepening conflict between the governor and the federal government, potentially impacting the landscape of future national elections.
Newsom shared the news in a post on X and during a C-SPAN broadcast on June 15, 2026 [1, 2]. He said the investigation is not based on legal merit but is instead a tool for political retaliation directed by Donald Trump [1, 2, 3].
According to Newsom, the probe is a response to his consistent criticism of the former president and his own political ambitions. "Donald Trump isn't just coming after me because of my mean tweets," Newsom said. "He's coming after me because I am considering running for president" [1].
Newsom indicated that the investigation is tied to his consideration of a presidential run in 2028 [1]. He said that Trump is targeting him because he has repeatedly called out the former president for "lies and deceit" [2].
In his remarks, Newsom described Donald Trump as the most corrupt president in American history [2]. He said the federal government's actions are an attempt to stifle his political trajectory through the use of the justice system [1, 2, 3].
The U.S. Department of Justice has not issued a formal statement regarding the specific nature of the investigation or the evidence involved [1, 2]. Newsom did not specify which legal matters are being scrutinized, only that the probe extends to his spouse [1, 3].
“"Donald Trump isn't just coming after me because of my mean tweets. He's coming after me because I am considering running for president."”
This development suggests a strategic escalation in the rivalry between Gavin Newsom and Donald Trump. By framing a federal investigation as political persecution, Newsom is positioning himself as a primary antagonist to Trump's influence, which may serve to consolidate his standing among Democratic voters as he weighs a 2028 presidential bid.
