California Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday accused President Donald Trump of directing the Justice Department to investigate him and his wife, describing the probe as "politically motivated."

"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," Newsom said in a post on X.

Newsom claimed Trump is targeting him because he is considering a presidential run in 2028. "He can harass me, investigate me, and put me on his list of enemies, but leave my wife and family out of your personal vendetta," he added.

The governor did not specify the allegations, but his office said the inquiry appears to have expanded into "increasingly personal matters involving the Governor's family and professional network."

California is the most populous and economically powerful U.S. state. Newsom, a longtime Trump rival, is seen as a serious contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination.

Federal law enforcement in Sacramento have been conducting several investigations related to the governor and his wife since 2025, a source said. The Justice Department has not disclosed details. Critics accuse the Trump regime of weaponizing law enforcement against political opponents.

Source: www.dw.com