Newsom Says Trump Ordered Political Investigation Into Him and His Wife

California Governor Gavin Newsom said Monday night that he and his wife are under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, and accused President Donald Trump of using the government for political retaliation. In a post on X, Newsom said, “My wife and I joined Trump’s target list today. He ordered his DOJ to investigate us.”

According to a source familiar with the matter cited by CNN, the inquiry is focused on Newsom’s wife and people close to him, on suspicion of tax violations. Newsom said agents had gone to the homes of former family members and former employees, not because they had found a crime but in an effort to find one. He added that investigators requested documents and “random materials,” and said his wife “did nothing wrong.”

Newsom also said the investigation appears to have expanded toward his family, warning, “If they cannot intimidate me, they will go after our children. Donald Trump picked the wrong target. We have nothing to hide.” In a conversation with reporters, his aides said more than 10 people had been subpoenaed or contacted by FBI and IRS agents as part of the probe. They also said some questions suggested investigators had obtained access to private financial records.

The White House and the Justice Department did not comment. A source familiar with the matter told CNN that political leadership at the Justice Department was not involved in opening the case. Newsom, one of Trump’s most prominent political rivals and a leading possible 2028 Democratic presidential contender, has clashed with Trump repeatedly over the past year.