California Governor Gavin Newsom Says DOJ Is Investigating Him and His Wife

Jun 15, 2026

California Governor Gavin Newsom says the Department of Justice is investigating him and his wife at President Trump's direction. Newsom, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, alleges the probe is a politically motivated "fishing expedition" and retaliation for his criticism of Trump. He claims federal agents are abusing the grand jury process and harassing his family and friends, while the White House and DOJ have not commented.

DOJ investigation announcement

▪Newsom did not publicly state what the Department of Justice is investigating.
▪The New York Times reported the investigation appears to be focused on Newsom's wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and may involve her nonprofits.
▪California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on June 15, 2026, that the Department of Justice is investigating him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom.
▪Federal agents have contacted family friends and former employees of Gov. Gavin Newsom as part of the investigation.
▪The White House referred requests for comment to the Department of Justice, which did not immediately respond on June 15, 2026.

Chief of staff plea

▪Newsom's office claimed the DOJ offered Dana Williamson a plea deal for information on Newsom, but her lawyer said she had no incriminating information.
▪Gov. Newsom's office stated the charges against former chief of staff Dana Williamson related to conduct from before she worked for him.
▪A month before Newsom's announcement, his former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, pleaded guilty to federal charges including conspiracy and fraud.

Presidential ambitions motivation

▪Newsom is the first potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidate to be targeted by a federal investigation during Trump's second term.
▪Gov. Newsom alleged President Trump directed the investigation because Newsom is considering running for president in 2028.
▪Newsom also claimed the investigation is retaliation for his consistent criticism of President Trump's "lies and deceit."

Trump targeting political opponents

▪Gov. Newsom accused President Trump of weaponizing the Department of Justice to target political enemies.
▪Other political figures targeted by the DOJ during Trump's second term include Jerome Powell, John Bolton, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
▪Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche previously served as President Trump's personal lawyer in multiple criminal cases.
▪Newsom compared the probe into him to DOJ investigations of James Comey, Letitia James, and Adam Schiff.

Grand jury process allegations

▪Gov. Newsom alleged the DOJ is "abusing the grand jury process" and conducting a "fishing expedition."
▪Newsom stated that federal agents are demanding records and "digging through years and years of random documents."
▪Newsom claimed federal agents are "simply trying to find" a crime, rather than investigating an existing one.