Newsom accuses Trump of targeting him in 2028: ‘Just trying to find a crime’ | Today’s news
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has accused the U.S. Justice Department of launching a politically motivated investigation of him and his wife, saying the Trump administration is using federal agencies to target him amid speculation about a potential 2028 presidential run.
In a video posted on X Newsom said federal authorities have expanded their investigation beyond professional associates to his personal network.
“They’re after me”: Newsom’s claim
“Donald Trump isn’t after me just because of my mean tweets,” Newsom said. “He’s after me because I’m considering running for president… and because he hates that I’ve berated him over and over again for his lies and deceit.
He also claimed that federal agents contacted people close to him.
Newsom said agents were “knocking on the doors of my friends and former staffers asking for records,” adding that the investigation appeared to have expanded into “increasingly personal matters involving the governor’s family and professional network.”
Justice Department investigation under scrutiny
The full scope of any Justice Department investigation remains unclear. According to the AP, a person familiar with the matter denied that this was an investigation specifically targeting Newsom, but said there are several federal investigations underway involving individuals in his orbit, including one related to his wife’s taxes.
The person, according to the news report, said the investigation began after complaints from whistleblowers in California and was not initiated by political leadership in Washington.
Claiming a “hit list” and political escalation
Newsom framed the investigation as part of a broader pattern of political retaliation.
“One by one, everyone who challenged Donald Trump ended up on his hit list, and today I’m proudly joining that list,” he said in the video.
The charges come after Trump has previously publicly criticized Newsom and stepped up pressure on California over policy disputes, including immigration and environmental regulations.
The governor’s wife reacts
Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the governor’s wife, said the reported investigation reflected a broader abuse of power.
“There are clearly no limits to what Donald Trump will do to get his way or to challenge those who stand in his way,” she said in a statement.
A long-standing political rivalry
Newsom, a term-limited governor and widely considered a potential Democratic presidential nominee in 2028, has frequently clashed with Trump on issues such as immigration policy, climate regulations and congressional reapportionment.
Tensions have risen as the two sides have engaged in legal and political battles, with California filing several lawsuits against the federal government during Trump’s second term.
The DOJ controversy
The case adds to a broader political debate over the Justice Department’s independence, with critics saying the agency is being used to persecute Trump’s perceived opponents.
Former officials including James Comey, Letitia James and John Brennan have also faced investigations or legal action in recent months, further fueling concerns about the politicization of federal law enforcement.
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