Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Wednesday rejected California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s claims that the Justice Department is politically targeting him, saying the governor’s assertions are not “grounded in fact.”
Blanche responded to comments made by Newsom, who said last month that the Justice Department is investigating him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, under orders from President Donald Trump.
While Blanche declined to comment on any ongoing investigations, he dismissed the governor’s claims.
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“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 during a news conference.
“He’d have to address that,” Blanche added.
Newsom claimed June 15 that Trump had directed the Justice Department to investigate him and his wife in an effort to undermine a potential White House campaign.
The California governor has described the investigation as a politically motivated “fishing expedition” by Trump’s DOJ, saying he and his wife have “nothing to hide.” Newsom has also argued the inquiry is aimed at him because he is considering a presidential run, saying, “To get me, he’s coming after my wife.”
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“Donald Trump isn’t just coming after me because of my mean Tweets. He’s coming after me because I am considering running for President,” Newsom said. “Because he hates that I’ve consistently called him out – over and over again – for his lies and deceit. Donald Trump is simply the most corrupt President in American history.”
Blanche also rejected Newsom’s broader characterization of the situation.
“He can choose to say whatever he thinks helps him,” Blanche said. “It doesn’t make it true.”
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Sources previously told Fox News the investigation has been ongoing since 2025 and is based on whistleblower complaints related to Newsom and his wife’s personal finances. The matter is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sacramento.
Federal sources confirmed to Fox News there are investigations involving Jennifer Siebel Newsom, but Fox News has not learned of any federal investigation directly targeting Gov. Newsom himself.
The Justice Department has not publicly confirmed any investigation involving Newsom or his wife.
Jennifer Siebel Newsom is a documentary filmmaker who runs The Representation Project, a nonprofit organization that seeks to advance feminism through media production. Fox News Digital previously reported the charity has faced “pay-for-play” allegations, with critics claiming corporations with business interests in California donated to the organization in an effort to gain influence with Newsom.
“There are clearly no boundaries to what Donald Trump will do to get his way or to challenge those who get in his way. This is not presidential behavior, and the Governor and I will continue to speak truth to power because the American people deserve so much more,” Jennifer Siebel Newsom said in a previous statement to Fox News.
Following Blanche’s remarks Wednesday, the governor’s office posted a meme on social media with the caption, “Why you always lyin.”
The governor’s press office also wrote, “Trump goons know that it’s not a crime to lie to a reporter.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to Newsom’s office for additional comment.
Fox News Digital’s Bonny Chu and Robert Schmad contributed to this report.