Overview
- Gov. Gavin Newsom publicly disclosed on Monday that the Department of Justice is investigating him and his wife and accused President Trump of directing the probe.
- Reporting by multiple outlets shows at least one federal inquiry dates to 2025 and was triggered by California whistleblower complaints handled by U.S. Attorney offices rather than opened centrally from Washington.
- Investigators are reported to be examining Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s tax and nonprofit activities, including tax filings that show roughly $1.5 million flowed from the Representation Project to her for‑profit production company between 2015 and early 2025.
- Newsom’s office says grand‑jury subpoenas, document requests to financial institutions and interviews of family, friends and former staffors have occurred, and the couple have sought DOJ records while Newsom prepares to release additional tax returns.
- The probe follows a related development in May when former chief of staff Dana Williamson pleaded guilty to charges tied to a campaign‑finance scheme and underscores that U.S. attorney offices can open local investigations that do not imply guilt.