California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) said Monday that the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom [1].

The announcement suggests a deepening conflict between the state's executive and the federal government. It also comes as Newsom weighs a potential run for the presidency, making the probe a central point of political contention.

Speaking at a press event in Los Angeles on June 15, 2026 [2], Newsom said that President Donald Trump has ordered the Justice Department to investigate him and his wife [3]. He said the probe is a retaliatory effort to weaponize the federal government against political opponents [4].

Newsom detailed the tactics used by federal investigators during the proceedings. "Federal agents have knocked on the doors of family friends and former employees, demanding records," Newsom said [5].

The governor framed the investigation as an attempt to pressure him through his family. "If they can't intimidate me, they'll go after the mother of our children," Newsom said [6].

While Newsom asserts the investigation is directed by the president, reporting on the matter varies. Some accounts state the governor explicitly accused Trump of ordering the probe, while others note that he identified the DOJ as the investigating body without specifying a direct order from the president [7].

Newsom has not specified the exact nature of the allegations the Justice Department is examining. He said the investigation is baseless and intended to hinder his future political ambitions [4].

“"President Donald Trump has ordered the Justice Department to investigate me and my wife."”

This development highlights the increasing tension between high-profile Democratic officials and the Trump administration's use of federal law enforcement. By publicly framing the investigation as a political hit, Newsom is positioning himself as a target of federal overreach, which may serve to consolidate his base as he considers a presidential bid.