Gov. Gavin Newsom of California speaks during a conversation with Andrew Ross Sorkin at the DealBook Summit in New York, on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. (Karsten Moran/The New York Times)
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California Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday accused President Donald Trump of weaponizing the federal government and directing the Department of Justice to investigate him and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, calling the actions an abuse of power and part of a political “hit list.”
In remarks released by his office, Newsom said federal agents had recently contacted associates and former employees and demanded records as part of what he described as a broad investigation.
“They are abusing the grand jury process,” Newsom said, adding that officials were “digging through years and years of random documents” in an effort to find wrongdoing.
Newsom said Trump was targeting him not because of policy disputes but because of his potential presidential ambitions and criticism of the former president. “He’s coming after me because I am considering running for President,” he said.
He also alleged that Trump had used federal law enforcement against political opponents and claimed that investigations had expanded to his family. Newsom said his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, was being drawn into the inquiry despite having done “nothing wrong.”
“Donald Trump picked the wrong target,” Newsom said. “We have nothing to hide.”
In his remarks, Newsom accused Trump of corruption and said the federal government was being used to reward allies and punish enemies. He also alleged financial misconduct by Trump, including claims involving foreign business dealings, cryptocurrency ventures, and personal enrichment tied to the presidency.
Newsom closed his statement by directly addressing Trump, saying, “Mr. President, come after me. I am not going anywhere,” and adding that “the country is watching.”
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