Mary Rooke Commentary and Analysis Writer
Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom, along with his family and close associates, is under a federal investigation. But despite Newsom’s claims to the contrary, it was the Biden administration that opened the probe, not President Donald Trump.
Newsom released a long-winded video claiming that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into him, his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and other associates, was a politically motivated effort directed by Trump.
“In recent days, federal agents have knocked on the doors of family friends and former employees. Not because they found a crime. Because they are simply trying to find one. They are demanding records. They are abusing the grand jury process. Digging through years and years of random documents. 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,” Newsom said.
Today, my wife & I joined Donald Trump’s hit list. He has directed his Department of Justice to investigate us. They have not found a crime – they are simply trying to find one.
He isn’t coming after me because of mean tweets, but because I am considering running for President.… pic.twitter.com/tVYk3WUvO8
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 15, 2026
However, it seems he’s forgotten a very important fact: the investigations originated in 2025 under the Biden administration.
The DOJ investigations stem from whistleblower complaints submitted to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in California’s Eastern District in 2025, before Trump returned to office. Sources told outlets including the AP, Politico, and the Sacramento Bee that the activity traces to whistleblower complaints from within the California government. (Sign up for Mary Rooke’s weekly newsletter here!)
The probes focus primarily on Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s personal taxes and the finances of nonprofits connected to her, like the California Partners Project and its possible ties to The Representation Project. Investigators are examining behested payments directed to these organizations by other organizations and entities that do business with the state of California.
In California, elected officials like Newsom can ask companies, tribes, or foundations to give money to a charity or nonprofit. These are not personal gifts to the official and are not campaign donations. They must be reported, but the rules are less strict than for direct gifts. Newsom has sent millions of dollars this way to the California Partners Project, of which his wife is a co-founder. The problem for Siebel Newsom is that these donations could create conflicts, as donors may seek favors from the state government.
While Siebel Newsom does not draw a direct salary from the California Partners Project, the group collaborates with The Representation Project, where she has received compensation. IRS filings show The Representation Project paid Siebel Newsom and her film production company, Girls Club Entertainment LLC, more than $3.7 million, according to the Sacramento Bee. This included an annual salary of about $150,000 for her and separate payments to the LLC for film-related services.
Investigators reportedly want to know whether nonprofit funds were used for personal benefit, whether donors overlapped in ways that raise questions, and whether all income was properly reported on tax forms.
A separate investigation involves Newsom’s former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, who pleaded guilty in May to federal charges. This case predates the Siebel Newsom-focused probe and also originated under the Biden Justice Department.
In November 2025, federal prosecutors charged Williamson with bank fraud, wire fraud, and filing false tax returns. Williamson was accused of being involved with funneling approximately $225,000 from a dormant campaign account linked to the former U.S. Health and Human Services Sec. Xavier Becerra. Williamson and others allegedly diverted the funds for personal or unauthorized use.
Gov. Gavin’s ex-chief of staff Dana Williamson pleads guilty to fraud just weeks before the primary. She’ll pay $225,000 restitution to Xavier Becerra. https://t.co/1fDzY9fRcs pic.twitter.com/k1ySsMRauq
— CalMatters (@CalMatters) May 19, 2026
Williamson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, subscribing to a false tax return, and making false statements to federal agents. The case has expanded to include other staff in Newsom’s orbit. No charges have been filed against Gavin Newsom or Jennifer Siebel Newsom. (ROOKE: There’s Something Smelly About Gavin Newsom’s Free Diaper Giveaway)
Despite Newsom’s claims, it seems this is less political prosecution and more a proper use of federal investigatory powers. Whistleblower complaints came from within his own government, which provided a sufficient basis for federal prosecutors to look more closely into how his inner circle, including his wife, does business. But, of course, Newsom will attempt to deflect blame onto Trump, and many on the left will hear this and ignore any evidence produced against him.
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