During a video statement on Monday, Gavin Newsom claimed that Donald Trump had instructed the U.S. Department of Justice to probe his personal and professional activities, including those of his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom.
The California governor alleged that federal agents had recently targeted associates and former employees, demanding documents and selectively utilizing grand jury procedures to advance the inquiry.
Newsom framed the accusations as politically motivated, asserting Trump’s actions stemmed from discontent with his presidential candidacy and his public criticism of the former president’s alleged falsehoods.
Highlighting a pattern, Newsom referenced prior investigations by Trump’s administration against figures like former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Governor Tim Walz.
“Trump’s latest actions confirm his tendency to target anyone who opposes him,” Newsom stated. “They can pursue my case relentlessly, but my family should remain untouched.”
A New York Times report, referencing an anonymous source, indicated multiple federal inquiries into Newsom, including one examining Siebel Newsom’s financial records.
As Newsom positions himself as a potential 2024 Democratic contender, Siebel Newsom has faced amplified scrutiny from conservative critics. Prominent figures like Steve Hilton, the Republican gubernatorial candidate in California, have labeled the couple a “grifter family,” while media outlets have portrayed her advocacy for gender equity as detrimental to Newsom’s political prospects.
