California Governor Gavin Newsom (R) speaks as his wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom (L) looks on during an election night rally at the California Democratic Party headquarters on November 4, 2025 in Sacramento, California.
Justin Sullivan | Getty Images
California Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday accused President Donald Trump of ordering the Justice Department to investigate the Democratic couple.
In a post on X, Newsom said Trump’s motive for targeting the governor and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, was because they were “considering running for president.”
The governor did not say how he understood what the Justice Department was investigating, or whether he even knew what it was.
“One by one, those who challenge Donald Trump are on his hit list,” Newsom said in a video statement. “And today, I proudly join that list.”
“After calling for my arrest last year, Donald Trump directed the Department of Justice to investigate me,” Newsom said. “They’re not finding the crime. They’re just trying to find the crime.”
But MS NOW on Monday reported that an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sacramento, California, is investigating Newsom and Siebel Newsom, and that the probe is primarily focused on her tax returns. Two sources cited by MS NOW said the investigation dates back to early 2025 and is just one of several surrounding Newsom, his office and family.
The Justice Department’s Public Policy Division is investigating potential tax evasion and evasion by Siebel Newsom and partnered with the U.S. Attorney’s Office on the investigation, the people said. MS NOW reports that Siebel Newsom is being questioned by investigators in an investigation focused on evidence suggesting personal use of nonprofit funds.
“Donald Trump chose the wrong target and we have nothing to hide,” Newsom said in a statement.
Newsom compared himself to other Trump foes who have been targeted by the Justice Department in the president’s second White House term. They include former FBI Director James Comey, former Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, New York Attorney General Letitia James, California Sen. Adam Schiff, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
The White House referred CNBC to the Justice Department for comment on Newsom’s claims.
The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Newsom’s statement came a month after his former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, 53, pleaded guilty to federal charges including conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, filing false tax returns and making false statements to federal officials.
Mr. Newsom’s office said the charges against Mr. Williamson relate to conduct from before she worked for him. The firm said it offered her a deal after the Justice Department raided her office in exchange for information about Newsom, but Williamson’s lawyers said they had nothing to offer prosecutors because Newsom committed no crime.
Newsom said in a video statement that federal agents have been “knocking on the doors of family friends and former employees” in recent days.
“And just last week, I learned that his operation has reached my home. He’s coming after my wife, Jen, to get me,” Newsom said. “A public servant. A woman who dedicated her life to supporting women and girls.”
Siebel Newsome is a documentary filmmaker.
Newsom said the Justice Department was “abusing the grand jury process” by requesting the records as part of the investigation.
“Donald Trump isn’t going after me just because of my mean tweets,” Newsom said. “He’s been following me because I’m thinking of running for president.”
“Because he hates that I have consistently, time and time again, accused him of lies and deceit,” the governor said. “Donald Trump is simply the most corrupt president in American history.”
