California Attorney General Rob Bonta reinforced Governor Gavin Newsom’s assertion that the Trump administration has weaponized the Justice Department. Bonta responded to claims that the federal investigation involving Newsom and his wife started in California, not under the Trump administration in Washington, D.C.
“I have concluded that this situation is highly dubious,” Bonta stated. “This administration has weaponized the DOJ repeatedly, and it seems that’s happening now.”
On Monday, Newsom announced publicly that he and his wife, Jen Siebel Newsom, are under DOJ investigation. He attributed this to direction from former President Donald Trump, alleging Trump added them to a so-called ‘hit list.’
The governor, speaking alongside his wife at the California Democratic Party Headquarters, claimed Trump’s targeting is related to speculation about Newsom’s potential candidacy for the 2028 presidential election.
Bonta emphasized Newsom’s influence, describing him as the governor of the largest and most politically significant state, with a massive economy. “Considering this situational awareness, what conclusion can you draw?” Bonta questioned.
In comments to Fox News Digital, Bonta accused Trump of converting the DOJ from a criminal enforcement body to an instrument of political persecution. He also claimed Trump instructed former Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue political adversaries.
“If that doesn’t destroy trust, I don’t know what will,” Bonta remarked, expressing skepticism about the probe’s motives.
Charges from a previous investigation, initiated under President Biden in 2025, led to Dana Williamson, Newsom’s former chief of staff, facing corruption charges. Williamson admitted to lying about sharing internal information. Newsom was not personally implicated in that investigation, though his office suggested that federal investigators from Trump’s tenure expanded the inquiries to include him.
The Governor’s office has since requested public records from the DOJ, seeking documents from Trump’s second term that mention him or his wife. This request includes communications among leaders within the Justice Department.
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