Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Wednesday pushed back directly on the Newsom DOJ claims, saying Gov. Gavin Newsom’s public description of a Justice Department directive was not “grounded in fact.” Blanche declined to discuss the mechanics of any open investigations but made clear he was skeptical of the governor’s broader characterization.
What Newsom claimed
Gov. Gavin Newsom has publicly asserted that the Justice Department was ordered to investigate him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and has tied the reported inquiries to political motives. In remarks to supporters, the governor said, “To get me, he’s coming after my wife,” a line cited in Fox News reporting that summarized Newsom’s contention that the scrutiny is aimed at undermining him politically.
Newsom’s office has posted statements and social-media messages framing the reported inquiries as politically driven. Those public statements, including the quoted line, were reported by Fox News Digital and have prompted direct responses from federal officials.
What Blanche said about Newsom DOJ claims
Blanche told reporters he was skeptical of Newsom’s depiction. “The only thing I’ll say about what he chose to do and what he chose to say is, I’m not sure his words are in any way grounded in fact,” Blanche said at a news conference, according to Fox News.
The acting attorney general also declined to discuss the existence or specifics of any ongoing probes, saying that matters involving potential investigations must be handled through established department channels. Blanche’s remarks stopped short of confirming or denying particular investigative actions and reiterated customary DOJ practice of not commenting on open or sensitive matters.
Confirmed facts vs. unconfirmed reports
Reporting to date mixes confirmed procedural facts with unverified assertions. Fox News has reported that federal sources indicated investigations involving Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and that some matters have been handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sacramento. Those points — that federal sources spoke to reporters and that the Sacramento U.S. Attorney’s Office has been mentioned in reporting — are attributed to Fox News’ coverage.
At the same time, the Justice Department has not issued a public confirmation that it is investigating Gov. Newsom personally, and DOJ spokespeople did not provide public statements corroborating a White House directive to probe the Newsoms as of the latest reports. Fox News’ coverage notes that specific allegations, timelines and the existence of any White House order remain unverified by public DOJ filings.
Some accounts cited in reporting reference whistleblower complaints and sources pointing to activity that dates back to 2025, but those materials and claims have not been independently corroborated in public court filings or DOJ announcements disclosed to news organizations. Where reporting summarizes such claims, those summaries are explicitly attributed to Fox News sources or to unnamed federal officials in that reporting.
Background: Jennifer Siebel Newsom and The Representation Project
Jennifer Siebel Newsom is a documentary filmmaker and the founder of The Representation Project, a nonprofit organization that focuses on gender portrayal and cultural issues. The organization produces films and campaigns intended to address gender stereotypes and media representation.
Fox News Digital has reported allegations described as “pay-for-play” tied to donations to The Representation Project, with critics questioning whether some corporate contributions raised influence concerns. Those reports characterize the pay-for-play claims as allegations in news coverage; they are presented as reported claims rather than confirmed misconduct in public records cited by the reporting.
What comes next
Key next steps to watch include any formal public statements from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sacramento or the Department of Justice. If federal prosecutors take formal steps such as an indictment, grand jury filing or public court document, those filings would typically provide clearer confirmation of the scope and targets of any inquiry.
Until such filings or an official DOJ confirmation are made, reporters will continue to press both the governor’s office and federal authorities for additional details. Fox News reporting suggests further follow-up reporting is likely as journalists seek to corroborate source accounts and review any available public records or filings.
Readers should note the distinction between what reporters have attributed to federal sources and what has been publicly confirmed by DOJ filings or official releases. Acting AG Blanche’s public skepticism about the governor’s characterization — as quoted above and attributed to Fox News — adds a clear federal voice countering the governor’s framing.
Confirmed vs. unconfirmed: quick summary
– Confirmed (as reported by news organizations): Fox News reported that federal sources described investigations involving Jennifer Siebel Newsom and that the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sacramento has been referenced in reporting.
– Unconfirmed or disputed: Whether a White House directive exists to order a probe of Gov. Newsom or his wife; whether any inquiry formally targets the governor; and the full scope and details of the reported matters, none of which have been publicly corroborated by DOJ statements or court filings as of the latest reporting.
Frequently asked questions
Is the DOJ investigating Gavin Newsom?
Public reporting has cited investigations involving Jennifer Siebel Newsom, according to Fox News, but the Justice Department has not publicly confirmed an investigation into Gov. Newsom himself.
Did President Trump order the DOJ to probe Newsom?
>Gov. Newsom has alleged that President Trump directed federal prosecutors to investigate him and his wife. That claim has not been corroborated by a public DOJ confirmation, and Acting AG Blanche said he was not sure Newsom’s words were “grounded in fact,” a quote reported by Fox News.
What is alleged about Jennifer Siebel Newsom and her nonprofit?
Reporting has described allegations of “pay-for-play” tied to The Representation Project, suggesting some donors sought influence. These remain allegations in news reports and are not established as proven misconduct in public records cited in coverage.
Source attribution
This article draws on reporting and quotes published by Fox News Digital. Specific quotes from Gov. Newsom and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche are as reported by Fox News. Mentions of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sacramento and whistleblower complaints are described as reported in Fox News’ coverage. The Justice Department and U.S. Attorney’s Office had not publicly confirmed the full scope of any investigation at the time of those reports.
We will update this story as federal officials, the U.S. Attorney in Sacramento, or the governor’s office provide additional public information or official filings.
Source: Fox News
