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, 2].
The allegation highlights a deepening conflict between the state's executive leadership and the federal government. If true, the use of federal investigative powers against a sitting governor and his spouse could trigger significant legal and political challenges regarding executive overreach.
Newsom shared the information via his X account, saying that the probe was launched at the direction of President Donald Trump [1, 2]. He said the investigation was an act of retaliation, suggesting the couple had been targeted by the administration [2].
"I’m under a DOJ investigation that was launched at the direction of President Trump," Newsom said [1].
The governor framed the situation as a targeted effort by the president to silence or punish political opponents. He said that the administration had specifically singled out his family for federal scrutiny [2].
"The President has put me and my wife on his hit list," Newsom said [2].
Despite the investigation, Newsom said he would not be intimidated by the federal probe. He challenged the president to continue the pursuit, suggesting that the public is aware of the dynamics at play [1].
"Mr. President, come after me. I am not going anywhere. The country is watching," Newsom said [1].
Neither the Department of Justice nor the White House has issued a formal statement confirming the existence or the specific nature of the investigation. Newsom did not provide further details on the legal basis for the probe, or the specific allegations the DOJ may be examining [1, 2].
“"I’m under a DOJ investigation that was launched at the direction of President Trump."”
This development signals a high-stakes confrontation between California and the federal government. By publicly framing a DOJ investigation as a politically motivated 'hit list,' Newsom is positioning himself as a primary antagonist to the Trump administration's use of federal law enforcement, which may serve to galvanize his political base and set the stage for a broader legal battle over the independence of the Justice Department.
