Gavin Newsom claimed on social media Monday that President Donald Trump had ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate him.

The New York Times confirmed later that the DOJ has been questioning “friends and associates” of the governor and “first partner” Jennifer Siebel Newsom.

The governor claims that the investigation is politically motivated, “because I am considering running for president.”

Is that all there is? Not so fast.

In March, The California Post reported that the governor had funneled millions of dollars to a non-profit organization founded by his wife through what are called “behested payments.”

“Behested payments” are a curious California institution. They are donations that politicians solicit on behalf of nonprofit organizations.

These payments used to remain in the shadows. Thanks to ethics reforms in 2021, donations above $5,000 must be declared.

But the rules are still rather loose, and politicians still use “behested payments” to steer money toward pet causes and nonprofit groups.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton has called these payments “literally corruption in plain sight,” and vowed to ban them.

Gov. Newsom has “behested” donations to a variety of causes — including the California Partners Project, a nonprofit organization founded by his wife that focuses on gender equity.

Sometimes, the donors have interests at stake in decisions by the state government.

The Washington Free Beacon reported in 2025 that the governor had asked a Native American tribe to make two separate $500,000 donations to the California Partners Project. He apparently took that tribe’s side in a dispute with another tribe over a casino.

The Free Beacon noted that Siebel Newsom does not take a salary from the organization. But it added that the millions of dollars in donations that the governor had “behested” for his wife’s group had helped in “keeping the lights on at her charity.”

The California Post also reported that The California Partners Project sometimes collaborates with Siebel Newsom’s other nonprofit, The Representation Project, which pays her $150,000 per year, and also pays her private-sector film production company.

You can see why the DOJ might have some questions. So do we.

Joel Pollak is Opinion editor at The California Post.