Newsom says Trump DOJ is investigating him
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Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) speaks to reporters inside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. Photo: Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday that the Department of Justice has opened an investigation into him.
Why it matters: Newsom alleged in a video that the DOJ is going after him at President Trump's direction because he's "considering running for president."
The big picture: The apparent probe would be the latest example of a political adversary of the president alleging that Trump has "weaponized" the DOJ to target his enemies.
What they're saying: "In recent days, federal agents have knocked on the doors of family friends and former employees," Newsom said in his statement.
- "Not because they found a crime. Because they are simply trying to find one. They are demanding records. They are abusing the grand jury process. Digging through years and years of random documents."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. 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. He has turned the levers of government into his own personal power ministries to reward cronies and to try to jail his opponents. His personal attorney now runs the Department of Justice, which has repeatedly gone after his political enemies."
The other side: The White House referred Axios to the Justice Department, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Context: Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche previously represented Trump in cases involving his retention of classified documents, his 2020 election interference case and his New York "hush money" case.
Zoom in: Newsom said that the probe resembles investigations into Former FBI Director James Comey, NY Attorney General Leticia James and Sen. Adam Schiff.
- Prosecutors were unable to secure an indictment in James' case and a court dismissed one of the cases against Comey.
Zoom out: Newsom is widely seen as one of the biggest heavyweights for the 2028 presidential election, alongside former Vice President Kamala Harris.
- He's gained real traction and engagement on social media for trolling the president by imitating Trump's signature posting style.
- Newsom also came out with a new book in February called "Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery," which was widely viewed as the first step to launching a campaign.
Watch: Newsom tells Axios, "I'm used to Trump attacking me 24/7. 'New-scum,' the whole thing."
Go deeper: Swear Trump's weaponization fund is dead to kill lawsuit, judge says
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details throughout.
