political opponent

Gavin Newsom said the US president is using government mechanisms for him to exert his own power, “reward cronies”, and “jail his opponents”.

GAVIN NEWSOM SAYS Donald Trump has ordered the Department of Justice to investigate him and his wife.

The California governor is a long-time political rival of the US president, and has been open about potentially running in 2028.

In a video posted to X today, Newsom said federal agents had knocked on the doors of his family and friends, “not because they found a crime, [but] because they’re simply trying to find one”.

“They’re demanding records. They’re abusing the grand jury process.”

Trump has made his dislike for Newsom known, calling him “Newscum” and describing him as a “low-IQ person”.

Newsom has been unafraid to bite back, telling Americans that Trump is a “jackass” that “doesn’t care about you”.

Today, my wife & I joined Donald Trump’s hit list. He has directed his Department of Justice to investigate us. They have not found a crime - they are simply trying to find one.

He isn't coming after me because of mean tweets, but because I am considering running for President.… pic.twitter.com/tVYk3WUvO8

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 15, 2026

Speaking about the investigation launched, Newsom said: “Donald Trump isn’t just coming after me because of my mean tweets. He’s coming after me because I’m considering running for president.

“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.”

Newsom said Trump is using government mechanisms to him to exert his own power, “reward cronies”, and “jail his opponents”.

California has sued the Trump administration dozens of times in his second term, including over the decision to deploy the US military to Los Angeles lastJune.

Newsom sought to stop Trump sending the National Guard to shut down the protests, which were sparked by mass deportations.

Asked at the time whether Newsom should be arrested, Trump said: “I’d do it if I were [border czar Tom Homan].”

Trump has repeatedly vowed to use his powers to go after political opponents.

Since he took office in 2025, the Department of Justice has indicted or sought to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James and Former FBI Director James Comey, who both investigated the president, as well as Democrat Tim Walz and former federal reserve chairman Jerome Powell.