The Biden Administration began the investigation. Gavinâs Chief of Staff plead guilty to charges brought by Bidenâs DOJ.
The DOJ investigations tied to Gavin Newsom (and associates like his wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom) originated around 2025, roughly a year before Newsomâs public announcement on June 15, 2026.
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Key Timeline Details
⢠2025 origins: Multiple federal probes (led by the U.S. Attorneyâs Office for the Eastern District of California in Sacramento) began from local/state whistleblower complaints, not at the direction of President Trump or Washington DOJ leadership. These included:
⢠A tax-related inquiry into Jennifer Siebel Newsomâs nonprofit organizations and finances (some reports specify early 2025).
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⢠A separate corruption/wire fraud case involving Newsomâs former chief of staff, Dana Williamson (indicted in 2025 under the prior administration; she took a plea deal in May 2026).
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⢠June 2026 escalation: Newsomâs office stated that investigators began actively contacting friends, former employees, and associates in June 2026. In the days/weeks leading up to June 15, federal agents (including FBI/IRS) reached out to more than a dozen people, sought records, and reportedly used grand jury subpoenas for bank/financial documents. Newsom framed this as a politically motivated âfishing expeditionâ tied to his potential 2028 presidential run and criticism of Trump.
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⢠June 15, 2026 public announcement: Newsom released a video accusing Trump of weaponizing the DOJ. Sources familiar with the matter confirmed ongoing probes but disputed that they were newly ordered from Washingtonâthey had been running locally for about a year.
nytimes.com
In short, the underlying investigations started in 2025 (pre-Trumpâs second term), with heightened activity and direct outreach to Newsomâs circle beginning in June 2026. No charges have been filed against Newsom or his wife as of the latest reports. Details come from Newsomâs statements, law enforcement sources, and news outlets; the DOJ has declined to comment.