Newsom: Trump ordered investigation into him and his wife

“In recent days, federal agents have knocked on the doors of family friends and former employees,” said Newsom in a video posted to his X social media account Monday afternoon. “Not because they found a crime – because they’re simply trying to find one.”

Newsom added that the U.S. Department of Justice had abused the grand jury system to go through “years and years of random documents,” about him and had demanded other records.

“He’s coming after me because I’m considering running for president, because he hates that I’ve consistently called him out for his lies and deceit,” Newsom said about Trump in the video.

The Center Square reached out for comment Monday afternoon to the White House, which referred The Center Square to the Department of Justice. The DOJ did not respond to a request for comment.

Newsom has emerged as an early favorite for the Democratic presidential nominee. National polling in May placed him among the top Democratic candidates alongside Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez of New York and Pete Buttigieg, according to Emerson College Polling. Meanwhile, The Center Square Voters' Voice Poll, conducted June 4-6 among registered voters who identify as Democrats and left-leaning independents, shows former Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic frontrunner in the 2028 presidential race at 27% of 1,227 polled. Newsom was a distant second among the names listed, with 14% support, The Center Square reported. The polling shows support for Newsom and Harris may be shifting to other Democrats.

Newsom said he welcomes the attention from Trump.

“One by one, anyone who has challenged Donald Trump has ended up on his hit list,” said Newsom. “And today, I proudly join that list.”

The Department of Justice has investigated Trump’s political enemies since he took office for his second term. Former FBI director James Comey has been indicted multiple times after investigating claims of Russian involvement in the 2016 presidential election, while the Department of Justice recently opened an investigation into E. Jean Carroll, who successfully sued Trump for a combined $88.3 million for sexual abuse and defamation.

Newsom said Trump called for his arrest last year, but said the president was looking in the wrong direction to find corruption. “We have nothing to hide.” 

Trump and Newsom have long traded blows over issues from immigration to the economy and climate change. Newsom has also often done online and social media parodies of Trump’s more controversial decision.

“Let me say it again,” said Newsom. “Mr. President, come after me. I’m not going anywhere, and the country is watching.”

The Center Square reached out to the Governor's Office Monday afternoon, but did not get an immediate response.