Gavin Newsom: DOJ Used For Trump’s «Personal Vendetta»

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced in a lengthy video statement that the U.S. Department of Justice has launched an investigation into him, describing the probe as part of a «personal vendetta» orchestrated by President Donald Trump. Newsom claimed federal investigators have expanded their scrutiny beyond his political activities and are now targeting people close to him, including family members and former associates.

According to Newsom, federal authorities have recently intensified their efforts. «In recent days, federal agents have knocked on the doors of family, friends and former employees. Not because they found a crime, because they’re simply trying to find one.» The governor argued that investigators are searching for evidence to justify a politically motivated case rather than pursuing a legitimate criminal inquiry.

Newsom also accused federal prosecutors of misusing investigative tools. «They’re demanding records. They’re abusing the grand jury process, digging through years and years of random documents.» He suggested that the investigation is designed to intimidate him and those around him rather than uncover wrongdoing. The Justice Department has not publicly commented on Newsom’s allegations.

The California governor tied the investigation to speculation about a possible presidential campaign. Newsom, who is widely considered a leading Democratic contender for 2028, argued that Trump sees him as a future political threat. «Donald Trump isn’t just coming after me because of my mean tweets. He’s coming after me because I’m considering running for president.»

Newsom has been one of Trump’s most vocal critics for years, frequently challenging the administration on immigration, climate policy, health care and democratic institutions. In his video, Newsom argued that his criticism of Trump has made him a target. «Because he hates that I’ve consistently called him out over and over again for his lies and deceit.»

The governor then escalated his rhetoric, accusing Trump of abusing presidential power. «Donald Trump is simply the most corrupt president in American history.» Newsom continued by claiming that the president has transformed federal institutions into political tools. «He’s turned the levers of government into his own personal power ministries to reward cronies and to try to jail his opponents.»

As part of his argument, Newsom pointed to other public figures who have clashed with Trump. «His personal attorney now runs the Department of Justice, which has repeatetly gone after his political enemies. Ask Jerome Powell. Sent them after James Comey, Tish James, Adam Schiff. He sent them after Tim Waltz and a woman that a jury found Donald Trump had sexually abused.» Newsom presented the alleged investigation against him as part of a broader pattern.

The California governor said he is not surprised to find himself under scrutiny. «One by one, anyone who has challenged Donald Trump has ended up on his hit list. And today, I proudly join that list.» The comment reflected Newsom’s effort to portray himself as the latest in a series of Trump critics facing retaliation.

A major portion of Newsom’s address focused on his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom. «After calling for my arrest last year, Donald Trump directed his Department of Justice to investigate me. And just in the last week, I’ve learned that his campaign has reached my own home. To get me, he’s coming after my wife, Jen.» Newsom argued that the investigation has expanded beyond politics and into his personal life.

Newsom described his wife as an innocent target. «A public servant, a woman who’s dedicated her life to supporting women and girls. Someone who has done nothing wrong other that having the temerity to advocate for what she believes in.» He added: «If they can’t intimidate me, they’ll go after the mother of our children.» The comments represented the emotional centerpiece of his address.

Newsom concluded with a direct message to the president. «To Donald Trump, who I know is watching because he watches everything, I have a message for you. You can subpoena my records. You can investigate me. You can harass me. Put my name on every and any enemies list you have, but leave my wife and family out of your personal vendetta.» He then delivered a final accusation, claiming: «Donald Trump picked the wrong target. We have nothing to hide.» The speech immediately intensified the political battle between California’s governor and the White House while raising new questions about the nature and scope of the reported DOJ investigation.