Newsom Says Justice Department Is Investigating His Family
California Governor Gavin Newsom says the Justice Department is investigating him and his wife. Newsom is a Democrat and a possible presidential candidate for 2028.
He says President Trump ordered the investigation for political reasons. Federal agents contacted several people linked to Newsom and his wife this past week.
The investigations had been going on for roughly a year. The case is linked to Newsom's former chief of staff Dana Williamson.
Williamson pleaded guilty last month to bank fraud and related charges. The investigation reportedly includes a look at the taxes of Newsom's wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom. Sources say it is being run out of the US Attorney's Office in Sacramento, California.
Klear Note — The Justice Department is the federal agency that investigates federal crimes. Presidents can influence which cases get investigated, raising concerns about political use of law enforcement.
Key Terms 4
- Justice Department The US government body that handles federal law and investigations
- politically motivated Done for political gain rather than legal reasons
- bank fraud Illegally deceiving a bank to get money or avoid paying it
- US Attorney's Office A federal office that handles government legal cases in a region