California Attorney General Rob Bonta reiterated Governor Gavin Newsom’s assertion that the Trump administration is using the Justice Department for political gain. This comes amid reports indicating that the investigation into the Newsoms originated in California and was not initiated by officials in Washington, D.C.
Bonta expressed skepticism about the nature of the investigation, saying, “What I concluded is that this is highly suspicious. It’s not reliable.” He emphasized that the former president has a history of weaponizing the Justice Department to further his own agenda.
On Monday, Newsom disclosed that he and his wife, Jen Siebel Newsom, are under investigation by the Justice Department, claiming that Trump directed this probe and labeled them as being on “Donald Trump’s hit list.”
Newsom has suggested that this targeting is politically motivated, especially as he has been viewed as a potential candidate for the 2028 presidential election.
Bonta pointed out the significant role Newsom plays, stating, “Newsom is the governor of the largest state in the nation… We all know he could be president of the United States. So you apply that situational awareness and context to this and what do you conclude?”
He told Fox News Digital that Trump shifted the focus of the Justice Department from criminal prosecution to what he described as “political persecution against political opponents.” Bonta also mentioned Trump’s past directive to former Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue investigations against political adversaries.
“If that doesn’t undermine trust and call into question the intentions behind this investigation, I don’t know what else to say,” Bonta stated, referencing what he characterized as a misuse of the agency for political ends.
Senator Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, has opted not to comment on reports regarding the origins of this investigation, which officials have indicated began in 2025 based on a whistleblower’s claims about the financial dealings of the Newsoms. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sacramento is overseeing the case.
Furthermore, reports suggest that the investigation was not prompted by the Trump administration. Newsom’s ex-chief of staff, Dana Williamson, was indicted on corruption charges due to an inquiry initiated under former President Biden. However, sources assert that Newsom himself is not directly implicated.
In light of these events, Newsom’s office has filed a public records request with the Justice Department, looking for documents from Trump’s second term that mention the Newsoms or contain communications with Justice Department leaders.
