California Governor Gavin Newsom is pushing back against what he describes as a politically motivated federal investigation, but newly reported details about the timeline are raising fresh questions about when at least some of the inquiries actually began.
Newsom has argued that President Donald Trump’s Justice Department is using federal law enforcement to target a political rival. However, multiple news organizations have reported that at least some of the investigative activity involving individuals connected to Newsom’s circle began before Trump returned to the White House for his second term.
According to CalMatters, at least two federal criminal investigations involving people within Newsom’s orbit have reportedly been underway for about a year through the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California. Citing a Justice Department source familiar with the matter, the outlet reported that the inquiries originated from whistleblower allegations and complaints submitted in the Sacramento area rather than from Justice Department leadership in Washington.
One of the reported investigations involved former Newsom chief of staff Dana Williamson and was opened during the Biden administration. Similar timelines have also been reported by CBS News, Axios, the Financial Times, and The Guardian, each citing sources familiar with the matter.
The reported chronology has become a focal point of the dispute. While Newsom maintains that the current Justice Department has expanded or politicized the investigations, the reports suggest that at least some of the underlying inquiries predate Trump’s current administration.
Earlier this year, Williamson admitted guilt in a corruption case that did not allege any wrongdoing by Governor Gavin Newsom. According to CalMatters, federal investigators later expanded their focus to include other people and organizations associated with Newsom’s political circle.
Newsom has continued to characterize the federal scrutiny as a politically motivated “fishing expedition,” arguing that it is retaliation for his criticism of President Trump and his growing national political profile. His administration has also filed Freedom of Information Act requests seeking records that could identify who authorized or directed the current investigation.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche challenged Newsom’s claims during remarks this week. Without commenting on the existence of any ongoing investigation, Blanche said he was “not sure [Newsom’s] words are in any way grounded in fact” and added that the California governor would have to address those statements himself. He neither confirmed nor denied whether any federal investigation is taking place.
Newsom’s office responded on social media by posting a meme criticizing Blanche’s remarks, while the governor’s press office accused Trump administration officials of making misleading statements to reporters.
CalMatters also reported that Newsom’s office believes federal prosecutors expanded their inquiries after failing to build a case through the Williamson investigation. According to the report, investigators have reviewed matters involving Newsom’s wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, along with the couple’s finances, nonprofit organizations, tax filings, and certain behested payments. The report did not allege that those payments were unlawful.
Separately, Fox News Digital reported, citing federal sources, that investigators have examined matters involving Jennifer Siebel Newsom. However, the outlet also reported that it had not confirmed the existence of any federal investigation directly targeting Governor Gavin Newsom.
As the dispute continues, the reported timeline has become a central issue. While Newsom argues that the Trump administration has politicized the investigations, multiple news organizations have reported that at least some of the federal inquiries began during the Biden administration. Whether those investigations ultimately result in additional action remains unclear, and officials have not publicly confirmed the status of any ongoing federal probe involving the governor himself.