A source told AFP that federal probes into Governor Gavin Newsom were opened about a year ago by the U.S. attorney's office in Sacramento after whistleblower tips, not by the Justice Department in Washington. The inquiries reportedly focus on alleged tax activity involving Jennifer Siebel Newsom and on actions tied to a former chief of staff and possibly current aides. Newsom called the investigations a "personal vendetta" by President Trump, and Senator Alex Padilla condemned the probes as politically motivated.
Source: Federal Probes Into Gov. Newsom Originated in Sacramento After Whistleblower Tips
California Governor Gavin Newsom at a February 2026 launch in New York of his book, "Young Man in a Hurry" (TIMOTHY A. CLARY)(TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/AFP)
A source familiar with the matter told AFP that federal investigations into California Governor Gavin Newsom were opened about a year ago by the U.S. attorney's office in Sacramento for the Eastern District of California, following whistleblower complaints — not by the Justice Department in Washington.
The source, who requested anonymity, said the inquiries have focused on alleged tax activity connected to Newsom's wife, filmmaker Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and on actions involving his former chief of staff and possibly some current aides.
In a video posted Monday, Newsom pushed back against what he described as a politically motivated effort. He said federal agents had interviewed friends and associates of him and his wife and were combing through "years and years of random documents." Newsom accused President Donald Trump of pursuing a "personal vendetta" as he contemplates a 2028 presidential run.
'Donald Trump isn't just coming after me because of my mean tweets. He's coming after me because I am considering running for president. To get me, he's coming after my wife,' Newsom said.
The reporting noted that the inquiries reportedly began after whistleblower information reached the Sacramento U.S. attorney's office roughly a year ago. The source said the probes were not opened by 'main Justice' in Washington.
Related Developments
Former Newsom chief of staff Dana Williamson pleaded guilty in May to bank and wire fraud and other felony charges tied to work she did before joining the governor's office. The source could not confirm whether Williamson's case is linked to the ongoing investigations into the governor.
The story also placed the Newsom inquiries in a broader context of recent federal activity involving prominent Trump critics. It referenced charges brought against former FBI Director James Comey and noted a federal judge later dismissed those charges on grounds that the U.S. attorney who brought them had been unlawfully appointed; a related case against New York Attorney General Letitia James was also tossed out at the same time.
California Senator Alex Padilla condemned the probes into his fellow Democrat, saying the pattern of investigations into critics of the president suggests the nation's top law enforcement agency is being used as a tool of political retribution rather than acting independently to enforce the law.
AFP reported these details based on the source's account. The source was not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity.
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