Gavin Newsom Blasts Trump‑Run DOJ as Political Weapon Ahead of 2028 Run

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California Governor Gavin Newsom claims the Justice Department, steered by President Donald Trump, is deploying investigations to sabotage his contemplated 2028 presidential campaign. In a video posted Monday, the Democrat warned that the probe extends to his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and senior staff, describing the effort as a politically motivated “hit list.”

Gavin Newsom Accuses Trump‑Led DOJ of Political Targeting

The governor’s office disclosed that federal agents have approached friends, former employees, and nonprofit groups linked to the Newsom family, seeking documents from the Trump era. “They’re not looking for evidence; they’re looking for a story,” Newsom said, echoing his earlier criticism of the administration’s tactics.

“Donald Trump isn’t just coming after me because of my tweets. He’s coming after me because I’m considering a presidential run,” Newsom asserted.

Among the inquiries, a probe into Siebel Newsom’s California Partners Project, which has received just over ↑ $5 million in behested payments since 2020, is reportedly based on a whistle‑blower tip. The DOJ has not confirmed any formal charges, and sources say investigations remain at the interview stage.

A separate federal case involves former chief of staff Dana Williamson, who pleaded guilty to a scheme that siphoned $225,000 from a dormant campaign account. The inquiry has broadened to include other staff members and a lingering investigation into a $54 million settlement with Activision Blizzard, noted by Reuters.

Newsom’s accusations echo earlier claims that the Trump administration weaponized the DOJ against opponents, a pattern documented by AP News. The governor, who cannot seek re‑election in California due to term limits, has repeatedly linked the scrutiny to Trump’s broader campaign to suppress dissent.

In a broader context, the state’s legal battles with the federal government span immigration, climate policy, and a recent pandemic response, underscoring the escalating clash between California and Washington.

Analysis by Eleanor Cross (Chief Washington Correspondent).