Gavin Newsom’s targeting claims not ‘grounded in fact,’ Blanche says
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Wednesday rejected California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s claims that the Justice Department is targeting him politically, saying the governor’s claims are “not factually based.”
Blanche responded to comments from Newsom, who said last month that the Justice Department was investigating him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, at the behest of President Donald Trump.
Blanche declined to comment on ongoing investigations and denied the governor’s allegations.
GAVIN NEWSOM CLAIMS TRUMP ORDERED A DOJ INVESTIGATION TO TARGETE HIM AND HIS WIFE
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche rejected California Governor Gavin Newsom’s claims that the Justice Department was targeting him politically, saying the governor’s claims were “not factually based.” (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images; Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
“The only thing I will say about what he chose to do and what he chose to say is that I’m not sure his words were based in any way on the truth,” Blanche said at a press conference.
“He should have addressed this,” Blanche added.
Newsom claimed on June 15 that Trump ordered the Justice Department to investigate him and his wife in an effort to undermine a possible White House campaign.
California’s governor described the investigation as a politically motivated “fishing expedition” by Trump’s Justice Department and said he and his wife “have nothing to hide.” Newsom also claimed that the investigation targeted him because he was considering entering the presidential race, saying, “He is going after my wife to catch me.”
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President Donald Trump, D-Calif. Its governor, Gavin Newsom, has been in contention so far during Trump’s second term. (AP Newsroom)
“Donald Trump isn’t just coming after me because of my bad Tweets. He’s coming after me because I’m considering running for president,” Newsom said. “Because he hates that I constantly – over and over again – condemn him for his lies and deceit. Donald Trump is absolutely the most corrupt President in American history.”
Blanche also rejected Newsom’s broader characterization of the situation.
“He can choose to say whatever he thinks will help him,” Blanche said. “That doesn’t make it right.”
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Award-winning Filmmaker and California Partners Project Co-Founder Jennifer Siebel Newsom speaks on stage during the 2024 California Women’s Conference at the Santa Clara Convention Center on February 29, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Marla Aufmuth/Getty Images for Women’s Conference)
Sources previously told Fox News that the investigation has been ongoing since 2025 and is based on complaints from whistleblowers about Newsom and his wife’s personal finances. The matter is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sacramento.
Federal sources confirmed to Fox News that there are investigations into Jennifer Siebel Newsom, but Fox News has not learned of any federal investigations directly targeting Governor Newsom.
The Justice Department has not publicly confirmed any investigation into Newsom or his wife.
Jennifer Siebel Newsom is a documentary filmmaker who runs The Representation Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing feminism through media production. Fox News Digital previously reported that the charity was facing “pay-to-play” allegations; Critics alleged that companies with business interests in California donated to the organization in an effort to gain influence over Newsom.
“There are no limits to what Donald Trump will do to get his own way or challenge those who stand in his way,” Jennifer Siebel Newsom told Fox News in a previous statement. “This is not presidential behavior, and the Governor and I will continue to speak truth to power because the American people deserve so much more.”
Following Blanche’s statement on Wednesday, the governor’s office took to social media to ask, “Why do you always lie?” He posted a meme with the caption:
The governor’s press office also wrote: “Trump’s people know it’s not a crime to lie to a reporter.”
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California Governor Gavin Newsom called the Justice Department’s alleged investigation a politically motivated “fishing expedition.” (Carlin Stiehl/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Fox News Digital has reached out to Newsom’s office for additional comment.
Fox News Digital’s Bonny Chu and Robert Schmad contributed to this report.
