Key facts
- California Governor Gavin Newsom stated he and his wife are subjects of a federal investigation.
- Newsom challenged President Trump to 'go after' him, suggesting the probe is politically motivated.
- The investigation reportedly stems from whistleblower reports, not direct prompting by Trump.
- Newsom's legal team has requested all DOJ records related to the ongoing investigation.
- Jennifer Siebel Newsom praised former President Obama during an event.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has publicly challenged President Donald Trump regarding a reported Department of Justice investigation into his and his wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom's finances. Newsom stated that federal agents have interviewed his family, friends, and former employees, and requested records from his office. He suggested the investigation is politically motivated, aimed at him because he is considering a presidential run and consistently calls out Trump. "He wants to go after me? Go after me," Newsom told MS NOW reporter Jacob Soboroff. A source familiar with the investigation indicated it was prompted by whistleblower reports shared with the DOJ office in Sacramento, rather than directly by Trump. Newsom's top lawyer has requested all DOJ records pertaining to the investigation. Meanwhile, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, while attending the opening of former President Barack Obama’s presidential library with her husband, offered praise for Obama and a veiled swipe at the current administration's divisiveness. The governor has not shied away from the situation, viewing it as an opportunity to elevate his national profile ahead of a potential 2028 presidential bid.