California Attorney General Rob Bonta reiterated Governor Gavin Newsom’s claims of the Trump administration weaponizing the Justice Department. This follows reports indicating the federal investigation involving Newsom and his wife began in California, not in Washington, D.C.
I know what I’ve concluded is that this is highly dubious — there’s no trust in it,Bonta stated.This is someone who’s weaponized the U.S. DOJ time and time again. I think he’s doing it now.
Governor Newsom publicly revealed on Monday that the DOJ is investigating him and his wife, alleging President Donald Trump directed the probe, adding them to his ‘hit list.’ Newsom hinted Trump targets him due to the buzz around Newsom’s potential 2028 presidential candidacy.
Bonta described Newsom as a major political figure. Newsom is the governor for the biggest state, the bluest state in the nation, the fourth-largest economy in the world,
Bonta said. Everyone knows that he could be president of the United States. So you put that situational awareness and context into this, and what do you conclude?
Bonta accused Trump of shifting the DOJ’s focus from criminal prosecutions to political persecutions. He also alleged that Trump ordered former Attorney General Pam Bondi to target his political rivals.
If that doesn’t destroy trust and make you doubt the intent behind this probe, I don’t know what else I can tell you,Bonta commented.
Bonta referred to these actions as ‘political persecution’ by Trump, mentioning actions against Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., whom he called ‘shifty Schiff.’ Meanwhile, Sen. Schiff declined to comment on reports of the probe’s origin.
Sources informed Fox News that the investigation focuses on whistleblower complaints about the personal finances of Newsom and his wife. Conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sacramento, the investigation reportedly began last year. The Associated Press noted that Washington wasn’t involved in opening the probe.
Last year’s investigation under President Joe Biden led to corruption charges against Newsom’s former chief of staff, Dana Williamson. She admitted to providing internal information to an associate. Newsom was not personally implicated, but his office suspects Trump administration investigators expanded the probe to include him.
On Monday, the Governor’s office filed a public records request with the DOJ. They aim to obtain documents mentioning Newsom or his wife during Trump’s second term, seeking communication records with Justice Department leaders.