California's Newsom alleges justice department is investigating wife and ex-staff

June 15, 2026

California Governor Gavin Newsom has publicly accused the Trump administration of politically motivated investigations after federal agents contacted his family, friends, and former employees. While Newsom claims these probes target him for potential 2028 presidential ambitions, a source familiar with the matter states the investigations began roughly a year ago in California through whistleblowers and involve his wife's taxes and a former chief of staff. The Department of Justice has recently opened investigations into multiple Trump critics, including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Who is affected

California Governor Gavin Newsom
Newsom's wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom
Newsom's family, friends, and former employees
Newsom's former chief of staff (identity not specified, though Dana Williamson previously pleaded guilty to separate charges)
Other Trump critics including former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and former Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell

What action is being taken

Federal agents are knocking on doors of Newsom's family, friends, and former employees
Federal prosecutors in Sacramento are handling multiple investigations
Federal investigators are demanding records and utilizing grand jury processes
The justice department has ongoing prosecutions or investigations into prominent Trump critics

Why it matters

This situation raises concerns about potential politicization of federal law enforcement, particularly as the Department of Justice has opened investigations into multiple political opponents of President Trump. The timing and targeting of these investigations, coinciding with speculation about Newsom's 2028 presidential ambitions, suggests a pattern that could undermine public confidence in the independence of federal investigative processes and set a troubling precedent for how sitting presidents might use federal agencies against political rivals.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC