The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating California Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom regarding their taxes, nonprofits, and business dealings. The probe, originating from whistleblower complaints, escalated after federal agents contacted family associates, friends, and former employees. [
1,
2]
Overview of the Federal Investigations
Federal authorities are reportedly examining two main areas: [
1,
2]
- The Non-Profit & Financial Probe: The DOJ is scrutinizing the tax returns of the First Partner and donations made to her non-profit organization by corporate entities that lobby the state. [1, 2]
- The Former Staff Member Case: The investigation stems partly from the case of Dana Williamson, the Governor's former chief of staff, who pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges in connection with funneling money from a dormant political campaign fund. [1, 2]
State-Level Scrutiny and Fines
Alongside the federal investigation, state authorities have scrutinized the Governor's financial disclosures: [
1,
2]
- Behested Payments: Just days before the DOJ probe was made public, the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) fined Governor Newsom $31,500. This penalty was levied because he was late in filing reports disclosing millions of dollars in "behested payments" (charitable donations solicited by an elected official) on 34 separate occasions, mostly during the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. [1]
Political Fallout and the Defense Strategy
Governor Newsom has publicly characterized the DOJ investigation as political retaliation by the Trump administration, pointing to his expected 2028 presidential run. [
1,
2]
- Public Pushback: In a video statement, Newsom accused the White House of weaponizing the justice system and demanded records through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to uncover whether administration officials pressured DOJ prosecutors. [1, 2]
- Call for Ethics Investigation: The Governor's aggressive defense has sparked local backlash as well. California State Assemblymember Carl DeMaio has requested an investigation into whether Newsom improperly utilized taxpayer funds and government personnel to handle his personal FOIA request. [1, 2, 3]
For a closer look at Governor Newsom's public response and how he frames the federal investigations as a politically motivated attack:
4:06
How Gavin Newsom's claims about a DOJ investigation could impact a potential 2028 ...
YouTube · CBS News
Newsom says he's on Trump's 'hit list' as DOJ opens investigations
Jun 15, 2026 — The accusations first came in a fiery video statement released Monday, but provided no concrete evidence that the president had orchestrated such a probe and di...
