California Governor Gavin Newsom Claims DOJ Probe Directed by Trump; Los Angeles Mayoral Race Heads to Runoff
In a bold move that could reshape California’s political arena, Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Thursday that the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom. The claim, delivered in a short video posted to his social‑media channels, alleges that the probe was initiated at the behest of former President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly urged federal authorities to arrest the governor.
Newsom’s video comes before any formal statement from federal prosecutors. The DOJ and the Federal Bureau of Investigation declined to comment, and no details about the investigation’s scope have been released. The governor’s office, however, has already requested the release of all records related to the probe and has shared the Freedom of Information Act request on his Twitter feed. According to aides, federal agents have contacted associates of Newsom and his wife and have subpoenaed records, but the DOJ has not confirmed any charges.
The allegation fits a broader pattern that critics say shows Trump’s use of the DOJ to target political opponents. In May, the DOJ announced a $1.8 billion “Anti‑Weaponization Fund” as part of a settlement with Trump over a lawsuit against the IRS. The fund is intended to compensate individuals who believe they were wrongly investigated under the Biden administration. Newsom, a vocal critic of Trump’s policies and rhetoric, has hinted that he is considering a run for the presidency in 2028, and his claim that the investigation is politically motivated aligns with his public warnings about the probe’s potential impact on his future ambitions.
Meanwhile, California’s political spotlight has shifted to Los Angeles, where the mayoral race has moved into a runoff. The non‑partisan top‑two primary held on June 2, 2026, saw incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilmember Nithya Raman advance to the November 3 general election. The two candidates share many policy positions—support for affordable housing, public transportation, and climate initiatives—but the runoff is expected to focus more sharply on Bass’s record as mayor and Raman’s promise of change.
The runoff will take place on the same day as the statewide primary, which includes the California gubernatorial race. The high‑visibility contest could influence the state’s political climate ahead of the 2028 presidential election. No official statements have yet been released by the DOJ regarding the investigation of Newsom, and the Trump administration has not responded to the governor’s FOIA request. Likewise, the Los Angeles city council has not issued a formal response to the runoff announcement.
Both the alleged DOJ probe and the upcoming mayoral runoff underscore the heightened political tensions in California. If Newsom’s claim is substantiated, it could have significant implications for his potential presidential campaign and for the broader debate over the use of federal agencies in political disputes. At this time, the investigation remains in its early stages, and the outcome of the Los Angeles mayoral runoff will be decided by voters on November 3. State leaders and the public will be watching closely for any developments.
