California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday that the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating both him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, alleging that President Donald Trump is using federal law enforcement against a potential political rival.
Newsom strongly condemned the White House, accusing the administration of “abusing the grand jury process” to manufactured a criminal case where none exists.
In a social media post, Newsom shared a video statement, writing: “Today, my wife & I joined Donald Trump’s hit list. He has directed his Department of Justice to investigate us. They have not found a crime – they are simply trying to find one. He isn’t coming after me because of mean tweets, but because I am considering running for President Hetly call him out. He is simply the most corrupt President in American history. We have nothing to hide. Mr. President, come after me. I am not going anywhere. The country is watching.”
Newsom said federal authorities have significantly intensified their efforts over recent weeks by contacting dozens of his acquaintances, relatives, and past employees. Investigators have reportedly demanded financial documentation, reviewed historical records, and requested personal interviews. Newsom’s office noted that the probe reached his Marin County residence last week when federal agents directly contacted the state’s first partner. Reports from the New York Times indicate that a portion of the federal inquiry is specifically scrutinizing Siebel Newsom’s personal finances and organizations connected to her media representation advocacy work.
Expressing deep frustration over his family being drawn into the matter, Newsom directly addressed the president, stating, “After calling for my arrest last year, Donald Trump directed his Department of Justice to investigate me,” while later adding, “You can subpoena my records, you can investigate me,” but demanding that authorities “leave my wife and family out of your personal vendetta.”
The Department of Justice, the FBI, and the White House did not immediately return requests for comment regarding the scope or specific allegations driving the investigation. Representatives for Newsom stated that state officials are continuing to evaluate the parameters of the records demands, but emphasized that a prior federal assessment regarding corporate allegations yielded no findings of substance. Despite the legal pressure, Newsom maintained that his administration would aggressively challenge the federal inquiries, declaring, “we are going to fight your lawlessness — and we are going to continue to remind people of this country of your corruption.”
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