Gavin Newsom says Trump ordered Justice Department investigation into him and his wife
California Governor Gavin Newsom said on Monday that President Donald Trump directed the Justice Department to investigate him and his wife, asserting federal agents have knocked on doors of family and former employees seeking records without evidence of a crime.
The accusation
On Monday, California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, released a video on X stating that the U.S. Justice Department is investigating him and his wife, Jennifer. He claimed that federal agents in recent days have visited members of his family, friends, and former employees, demanding documents and records.
Newsom did not specify the alleged charges. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Not because they found a crime. Because they are simply trying to find one.
Federal agents at the doors
Newsom described agents knocking on doors and "demanding records" while "abusing the grand jury process." The governor said he believes the probe is a direct order from President Trump, driven by his own political aspirations.
Donald Trump isn't just coming after me because of my mean Tweets. He's coming after me because I am considering running for President.
A long-running feud
Newsom and Trump have been political adversaries for years, clashing over climate change, pipelines, and the deployment of National Guard troops to California last summer. In 2025, Trump said he would support Newsom's arrest over the governor's alleged obstruction of immigration enforcement. Newsom has called Trump a "jackass" and described him as "the most corrupt president in American history."
He hates that I've consistently called him out over and over again for his lies and deceit.
Broader pattern of retaliation
Since returning to the White House, Trump's Justice Department has pursued several perceived political adversaries. Former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, former National Security Advisor John Bolton, Democratic Governor Tim Walz, and former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell have all faced legal action. Reuters reported in November 2025 that at least 470 individuals, organizations, and institutions had been targets of retaliatory measures.
Donald Trump is using government mechanisms to exert his own power, reward cronies, and jail his opponents.
- Trump deploys National Guard to Los Angeles; Newsom sues; Trump says he would support Newsom's arrest.
- Reuters publishes count of at least 470 targets of retaliation since start of Trump's second term.
- Newsom releases video accusing Trump of ordering the Justice Department to investigate him and his wife.
2028 implications
Newsom is widely seen as a potential Democratic candidate for the 2028 presidential election. He has not formally declared, but his statement on Monday framed the investigation as an attempt to thwart that ambition. The governor also pleaded for his family's safety.
Trump can harass me, investigate me, and put me on his enemies list. But keep my wife and my family out of your personal revenge campaign.
