California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday the Department of Justice is investigating him and his wife, alleging President Donald Trump is targeting a political adversary despite no evidence Newsom has committed a crime.
Newsom, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, said in a video posted to social media that Trump’s administration is also targeting his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom.
The nitty-gritty: Multiple media outlets citing sources close to the Justice Department said that the Eastern District of California’s U.S. Attorney’s Office – which covers Redding to Bakersfield – is probing whistleblower claims of tax-related crimes by Newsom’s wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom.
- Her California Partners Project, an organization promoting gender equity, has been the recipient of numerous behest payments, a controversial practice in which government officials direct private actors to donate money to philanthropies and nonprofits.
- According to POLITICO, Siebel Newsom’s nonprofit has received around $5.1 million in behested payments since 2020, from donors including the Lisa Stone Pritzker Family Foundation, Native American tribes and Silicon Valley Bank, according to required campaign finance disclosures.
- Some donations were made through the Central Valley Community Foundation, the philanthropy run by former Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin.
- Another nonprofit, the Representation Project, paid Siebel Newsom and her company $3.7 million over the past decade, according to IRS filings.
What he’s saying: “Trump 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,” Newsom said.
- The FBI and Justice Department have not issued comment on the probe.
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