Newsom claims Justice Department probe is political amid timeline scrutiny

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s claims that President Donald Trump’s Justice Department launched a politically motivated “fishing expedition” against him face new scrutiny after multiple reports showed major federal investigations began before Trump’s second administration.

The timeline emerged as the central point of the dispute. While Newsom has argued that the current Justice Department is using investigations as a weapon against a political rival, many news organizations, citing sources familiar with the matter, have reported that at least some of the investigative activity began before Trump returned to the White House.

At least two criminal investigations into Newsom’s orbit have been ongoing for nearly a year with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California, according to CalMatters. Citing a Justice Department source familiar with the matter, the news report said the investigations stemmed from whistleblowers in Sacramento and local complaints, and that an investigation involving former Newsom chief of staff Dana Williamson was also opened during the Biden administration. CBS News, Axios, the Financial Times and The Guardian also reported similar timelines, citing sources familiar with the investigations.

Newsom suggested the current Justice Department was expanding or politicizing the investigations, although the reported chronology fueled questions about whether the investigations arose under the Trump administration.

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NEWSOM-LINKED AID ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN CAUGHT IN DOJ’S PURPOSE

The news also stated that an investigation into former Newsom chief of staff Dana Williamson was opened during the Biden administration. Williamson pleaded guilty earlier this year to corruption charges in a case that did not involve Newsom. CBS News, Axios, the Financial Times and The Guardian also reported, citing sources familiar with the investigations, that at least one federal investigation began nearly a year ago and was launched in California rather than at Justice Department headquarters in Washington.

Despite that reported timeline, Newsom has described the investigation as a politically motivated “fishing expedition,” arguing that the current Justice Department is weaponizing the investigations in retaliation for his criticism of Trump and his national political profile. His administration also sought records through the Freedom of Information Act to determine who ordered or directed the current investigation.

Acting AG TODD BLANCHE SAYS NEWSOM’S DOJ CLAIMS ‘NOT BASED ON FACTS’

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche pushed back on Newsom’s claims that the Justice Department’s investigations were politically motivated. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc)

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche withdrew that characterization this week. Blanche, who declined to comment on ongoing investigations, told reporters she was “not sure.” [Newsom’s] He said the remarks were in any way based on facts, adding that the governor of California should address this issue. Blanche did not confirm or deny whether there was any investigation.

Newsom’s office responded by mocking Blanche on social media, asking, “Why do you always lie?” He posted a meme titled: The governor’s press office responded, “Trump goons know it’s not a crime to lie to a reporter.” he said.

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Newsom’s office claims that after federal prosecutors failed to build a case from the Williamson investigation, they expanded their investigation to include Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the couple’s finances and their partners, according to CalMatters.

Investigators examined the first partner’s tax returns, nonprofit affiliations and some ordered payments, but did not allege that those payments were illegal, the publication reported.

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First partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s finances and nonprofits are among those reportedly being scrutinized in a federal investigation, according to CalMatters. (Getty Images)

Fox News Digital had previously reported, citing federal sources, that investigators had opened an investigation into Jennifer Siebel Newsom, but Fox News was not aware of any federal investigation directly targeting Governor Newsom.

The Justice Department, the White House and Newsom’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.