Newsom Accuses Trump of Targeting His Family in New DOJ Investigation: «Investigate Me» but «Leave My Wife and Family Out»

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced in a lengthy video statement that the U.S. Department of Justice has launched an investigation into him, describing the probe as part of a «personal vendetta» orchestrated by Donald Trump. Newsom claimed federal investigators have expanded their scrutiny far beyond his political activities and are now targeting members of his family, friends and former staff. «In recent days, federal agents have knocked on the doors of family, friends and former employees. Not because they found a crime, because they're simply trying to find one,» Newsom said. He added: «They're demanding records. They're abusing the grand jury process, digging through years and years of random documents.» The accusations represent a dramatic escalation in the long-running feud between the California governor and the White House.

Newsom directly tied the investigation to speculation surrounding a potential 2028 presidential campaign. The Democratic governor, widely viewed as one of the party's leading national figures, argued that the probe is politically motivated rather than based on evidence of wrongdoing. «Donald Trump isn't just coming after me because of my mean tweets. He's coming after me because I'm considering running for president,» Newsom said. He continued: «Because he hates that I've consistently called him out over and over again for his lies and deceit.» The governor did not provide specific details about the alleged investigation but said the pattern of activity by federal agents convinced him that the effort is aimed at damaging a potential political rival.

The California governor also delivered some of his sharpest criticism of Trump since the president returned to office. In the video, Newsom accused Trump of weaponizing federal institutions against political opponents and described the administration as operating through retaliation rather than impartial law enforcement. «Donald Trump is simply the most corrupt president in American history,» Newsom said. He added: «He's turned the levers of government into his own personal power ministries to reward cronies and to try to jail his opponents.» Newsom further argued that Trump's allies now control key institutions that should remain independent, specifically citing the Department of Justice as an example of what he described as a broader abuse of executive power.

As part of his argument, Newsom pointed to a growing list of Trump critics who have faced scrutiny or investigations. «His personal attorney now runs the Department of Justice, which has repeatetly gone after his political enemies. Ask Jerome Powell. Sent them after James Comey, Tish James, Adam Schiff. He sent them after Tim Waltz and a woman that a jury found Donald Trump had sexually abused,» Newsom said. He concluded that portion of his remarks by declaring: «One by one, anyone who has challenged Donald Trump has ended up on his hit list. And today, I proudly join that list.» The comments reflected Newsom's effort to portray his situation as part of a broader pattern rather than an isolated investigation.

A major focus of Newsom's statement involved his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom. The governor claimed investigators have recently expanded their inquiries to include people and organizations connected to her. «After calling for my arrest last year, Donald Trump directed his Department of Justice to investigate me. And just in the last week, I've learned that his campaign has reached my own home. To get me, he's coming after my wife, Jen.» Newsom described his wife as «A public servant, a woman who's dedicated her life to supporting women and girls. Someone who has done nothing wrong other that having the temerity to advocate for what she believes in.» He then added: «If they can't intimidate me, they'll go after the mother of our children.» Sources familiar with the matter told multiple news organizations that inquiries involving Jennifer Siebel Newsom and individuals associated with her organizations are among several investigations reportedly underway.

Newsom concluded his address by speaking directly to Trump and daring investigators to continue examining his personal records. «To Donald Trump, who I know is watching because he watches everything, I have a message for you. You can subpoena my records. You can investigate me. You can harass me. Put my name on every and any enemies list you have, but leave my wife and family out of your personal vendetta.» He followed with another direct attack on the president: «Donald Trump picked the wrong target. We have nothing to hide. His political operatives can take every record and read every page, but they'll be looking in the wrong place. Because if they really want to find corruption, look no further than 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.» Newsom's office has since filed a Freedom of Information Act request seeking records related to the investigation, while the Justice Department has declined public comment.

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