Newsom Blames Trump as DOJ Probe Timeline Undercuts Retaliation Claim
The Department of Justice is investigating Newsom, his wife, and the rest of his administration. His defense? “Orange Man Bad.”
On Monday evening, news broke that California Governor Gavin Newsom blamed President Donald Trump for an investigation focused on himself, his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and the rest of his administration.
Gov. Gavin Newsom accused President Trump on Monday of directing the US Department of Justice to investigate him, his wife, and other family members as an act of political retaliation as he considers a run for president in 2028.
But a source familiar with the matter told The Post that the Newsom administration is facing multiple investigations, touching on accusations of public corruption that stretch back at least a year into himself, wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom, as well as former and even current staff.
The US Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of California is also specifically probing allegations brought forward by California whistleblowers regarding Newsom’s wife’s taxes as well as his former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, and potentially some current staff, the source said.
A second source familiar with the matter confirmed to The Post that the case is being handled by the East District US Attorney Eric Grant — who declined comment — and they suggested that Newsom’s announcement could have been motivated by concerns over who investigators have already contacted.
Today, my wife & I joined Donald Trump’s hit list. He has directed his Department of Justice to investigate us. They have not found a crime – they are simply trying to find one.
He isn't coming after me because of mean tweets, but because I am considering running for President.… pic.twitter.com/tVYk3WUvO8
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 15, 2026
However, a more robust review of the timeline reveals that the investigation’s roots date back to Biden. Politico, hardly a right-wing bastion of news, provides some background on Gov. Newsom’s former Chief of Staff, Dana Williamson. Williams left her position with Newsom in late 2024.
But a person familiar with the matter said the government has been investigating Newsom’s orbit for roughly a year. Investigations run out California’s eastern district and originating with whistleblower tips have focused, respectively, on the first partner’s taxes and on Newsom’s former chief of staff and potentially current aides, the person said.
Internal Revenue Service agents have joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation in making inquiries, according to the Newsom administration, underscoring the likelihood that Siebel Newsom’s finances are a target of the federal inquiry.
A deeper dive into the timeline reveals a 2022 investigation start date, which is clearly long before the start of Trump’s second term.
“As part of an investigation that began in 2022, Williamson joins the two others who were charged in the ‘Conduit Scheme’ conspiracy in pleading guilty,” said U.S. Attorney Grant. “These conspirators, three of whom are former public officials, shockingly looted campaign funds for personal benefit. Our office and our law enforcement partners will continue working to protect the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that those who scorn the law are held accountable.”
Interestingly, especially given Newsom’s dramatic statements, his former chief of staff pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud. This development occurred last month.
Williamson was originally charged with 23 federal counts.
Among the charges, she was accused of co-conspiring in a scheme to steal about $225,000 from a dormant campaign account belonging to Xavier Becerra.
At the time, he was serving as the US Health and Human Services Secretary under President Biden.
Williamson faces a maximum sentence that includes up to 30 years in prison on the conspiracy charge, including a fine of $1 million.
🚨 BIDEN DOJ V. NEWSOM: Gavin Newsom claims Trump's DOJ is 'politically targeting' him & his wife.
FACT CHECK: The key probe tied to his ex-chief of staff Dana Williamson began in 2022 under Biden's DOJ.
3+ years ago.
Indicted Nov 2025, pleaded guilty May 2026 to $225K fraud… pic.twitter.com/gy85WQ0vc6
— Publius (@OcrazioCornPop) June 17, 2026
Newsom’s claims of political retaliation smack of getting ahead of the story, which is very likely to be forthcoming. California’s hapless governor has also made a “Hail Mary” move by submitting a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, which looks less like a reaction to a sudden bombshell and more like a calculated effort to spin and pre‑empt forthcoming developments.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom sent a letter to the Department of Justice seeking any and all communications between top officials that use the terms “Gavin Newsom,” “Jennifer Siebel Newsom,” or “Newsom.”
“My office is demanding the Trump Administration release any and all records on the Trump DOJ’s politically motivated, baseless fishing expedition.
“The American people deserve to know who ordered this abuse of power and how far it goes,” Newsom wrote on X Monday, sharing the letter he sent to the Trump administration making a Freedom of Information Act request.
A FOIA request is a written demand made under the Freedom of Information Act, a federal law that gives any person the right to access records from executive branch agencies of the U.S. government.
It remains uncertain what, if anything, the investigations will ultimately substantiate, and the scope or implications are still unfolding.
However, based on the emerging timeline, which clearly shows inquiries predating Trump’s current term and involving multiple agencies and prior conduct,it appears more likely that Newsom will continue framing the situation as political retaliation rather than engaging the substance of the allegations, positioning Trump as the central antagonist regardless of what further details come to light.
In other words, Newsom’s entire defense is likely to be “Orange Man Bad”.
Newsom's entire defense: Orange Man Bad.
We'll see how it plays out for him. https://t.co/StjrE1z4eZ
— Leslie Eastman ☥ (@Mutnodjmet) June 17, 2026
We’ll see how it plays out for him.
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Comments
So, Newsom & Company are entirely corrupt. This is news?
I want that turd to use the defense “Orange Man Bad” if he is ever brought to trial. Who knows. It might even work,
Newsom blames Trump.
Same shit, different day.
It looks like this isn’t an example of Trump retribution, but so what if it was?
The Dims don’t have the stomach to play the game they started?
Trump needs to bludgeon them with lawfare until they learn their lesson. Would it be going too far to ask for a few assassination attempts against their side too?
Dems labor under the mistaken belief the “retribution” and “justice” are mutually exclusive. They are not.
Newsoms statement is interesting.
“He has directed his Department of Justice to investigate us. They have not found a crime – they are simply trying to find one.”
Umm…that’s what investigate means. They try to find a crime.
“He isn’t coming after me because of mean tweets, but because I am considering running for President.”
Of course he’s not coming because of mean tweets. That’s not a basis for prosecution. That’s what democrats did to Trump. He’s coming because of crimes.
What idiot wrote this?
Newsome
Newscum: I’m just a poor greasy victim of nazi orange man. I need your votes, my felllow TDS brothers, sisters, and others!
Laura Powell
@LauraPowellEsq
Gavin and Jennifer file jointly.
“Last week, the California Fair Political Practices Commission fined Gavin Newsom $31,500 for failing to timely report more than $5.5 million in behested payments.
“Behested payments” are donations made to charities, nonprofits, or government programs at the request of a public official. While legal in California with no contribution limits, they must be reported to the FPPC. These arrangements create both the appearance and the risk of pay-to-play in that donors who give large sums at an official’s request may later expect favorable treatment such as government contracts or favorable regulations.
Newsom failed to meet this basic transparency requirement. The FPPC emphasized that, given his many years in elected office, he is very familiar with the reporting rules. The commission also noted that his repeated failures demonstrated a pattern of noncompliance.
Newsom has faced criticism for soliciting millions for his wife’s nonprofits, which are now part of the ongoing DOJ investigation. Although these particular behested payments have not been found to violate the law, the FPPC’s repeated findings of noncompliance undercut Newsom’s claim that the federal probe is purely a political witch hunt.”
If the DA actually files charges or a judge doesn’t throw the case out Newscum’s political carrier is over.
I doubt the Newscums will never do time for this crime.
New info out today. He bought a 9.1 million dollar home in Marin County. Only problem he didn’t have 9.1 million in cash in his bank accounts or other holdings. Oops!
Jennifer Van Laar reported this a little over a year ago. It’s just now getting more attention as Newsom gears up his nationwide campaign.
Lord Gavin of Kentfield.
No problem. He and his wife open up a hospice or a learing center, and the CA taxpayer will cover it.
Luckily for Newsom, Democrat voters are immune from facts, logic and even understanding of chronological order.
Lets see – 1) Newsom and his wife and related to Nancy Pelosi. 2) Newsom has the state and federal funds of billions work to build a train to nowhere that has not laid any track and needs many billions to complete. 3) His wife got a charity for the Palisades Fire of $100M yet no money went anywhere and are being investigated by the DOJ. 4) There is State/Fed Medicade and homeless money fraud that the state is required to oversee. 5) The State passed laws allowing for illegal voting practices, which as Governor Newsom signed.