Reports from multiple news organizations say the Newsom DOJ probe — including inquiries tied to people in the governor’s orbit — began before President Donald Trump returned to office, a timeline that complicates Gov. Gavin Newsom’s claim that the current Justice Department is politically targeting him.
The competing accounts matter: Newsom has called the investigations a politically motivated “fishing expedition,” while CalMatters, CBS News, Axios, the Financial Times, The Guardian and Fox News Digital cite sources saying some investigative activity started before the Trump administration took office. The chronology affects whether the inquiries reflect new, post-2025 openings or earlier steps that later expanded.
- Mid-2025 (reported): Several outlets say at least one federal inquiry tied to people in Newsom’s orbit was active by mid-2025, handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California.
- Before January 2025: CalMatters reported an inquiry involving former chief of staff Dana Williamson began while the Biden administration was still in place (i.e., prior to Jan. 20, 2025).
- 2026 (reported): Reporting notes that Williamson later pleaded guilty to separate corruption-related charges; outlets emphasize that plea is not a direct charge against Gov. Newsom.
- Recent months (late 2025–mid 2026): Several outlets say investigators expanded steps to review payments, nonprofit records and other financial information tied to associates and entities connected to the Newsoms.
Newsom DOJ probe: reported timeline and outlets
CalMatters reported that at least two criminal inquiries connected to the governor’s orbit were underway for roughly a year, originating from whistleblower tips and local complaints in Sacramento. CBS News, Axios, the Financial Times and The Guardian have published similar accounts, each citing people familiar with investigative steps.
Those reports say at least some investigative activity began in California — specifically the Eastern District of California — rather than at Justice Department headquarters in Washington. Fox News Digital also reported inquiries involving first partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and Fox noted it had not learned of a federal probe directly targeting Gov. Newsom himself.
What the reports say about timing
The outlets do not point to a single public filing that marks a start date; instead, they describe a sequence of local complaints, whistleblower information and early investigative steps such as interviews and record reviews. Reporters said those steps began before President Trump returned to the White House, which undercuts a simple narrative that the current DOJ opened the first inquiries after Jan. 20, 2025.
Outlets stress their accounts rely on sources familiar with the matter, and those sources described how preliminary reviews by the Eastern District of California developed into broader inquiries in late 2025 and into 2026.
Newsom response and political framing
Gov. Newsom and his allies have framed the reporting as evidence of politically motivated prosecution. His office has labeled the inquiries a “weaponization” of federal power and has publicly called the activity a “fishing expedition.” Newsom’s team has sought Freedom of Information Act records to identify who authorized recent investigative actions and to document any direction from Justice Department officials.
“fishing expedition” — phrase used by Newsom to describe the inquiries
Newsom’s political team has amplified those claims on social media and in public statements, aiming to cast the matter as partisan retaliation. At the same time, the media accounts that place some investigative steps before the current DOJ limit how cleanly the story maps onto a single political explanation.
DOJ and acting attorney general responses
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche declined to confirm or deny details of ongoing investigations to reporters. Blanche told journalists he was “not sure [Newsom’s] words are in any way grounded in fact,” adding that Newsom “would have to address that.” Beyond those comments, the Justice Department has not publicly confirmed the reported timeline or released detailed information about any investigations tied to the Newsom orbit.
“not sure [Newsom’s] words are in any way grounded in fact” — Todd Blanche
Fact-check sidebar
Timeline of reported inquiries (compact)
- Mid-2025: Preliminary reviews and inquiries in the Eastern District of California were reported to be active.
- Before Jan. 20, 2025: At least one inquiry tied to Dana Williamson reportedly opened during the Biden administration.
- Late 2025–mid 2026: Reporters say investigators expanded document reviews to include nonprofit records, behested payments and tax filings connected to associates.
What comes next
Newsom’s office has filed FOIA requests to seek records showing who authorized or directed recent investigative steps. Reporters and legal analysts say those requests — along with any grand jury activity, public subpoenas or formal indictments — are likely to produce the clearest public record of when and how inquiries were opened.
If prosecutors bring charges, court filings will specify dates, statutes and the alleged conduct underlying any counts. Until that happens, much of the public record will rest on anonymous sourcing and reporting that describe investigatory activity rather than on formal DOJ confirmations.
FAQ
Is Gavin Newsom personally under federal investigation?
Reporting so far indicates inquiries involve people and entities in Newsom’s orbit, and outlets say they have not learned of a federal probe directly naming Gov. Newsom. The DOJ has not publicly confirmed the full scope.
Did the DOJ open inquiries before Trump took office?
Several outlets, including CalMatters and others cited by Fox News Digital, report that at least some investigative activity began during the Biden administration (before Jan. 20, 2025). Those accounts rely on sources familiar with the matter and have not been fully confirmed by DOJ.
What has acting AG Todd Blanche said about the reports?
Blanche declined to confirm ongoing investigations and said he was “not sure [Newsom’s] words are in any way grounded in fact.”
Source attribution: This report draws on coverage from Fox News Digital and reporting by CalMatters, CBS News, Axios, the Financial Times and The Guardian. Original Fox News report: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/newsom-blames-trump-doj-probe-reports-say-investigation-predates-administration.
