What Newsom's team is telling Hill allies about his DOJ probe
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Long Beach, Calif., on June 4. Photo: Myraneli Fabian/Anadolu via Getty Images
California Gov. Gavin Newsom's team is urging congressional Democrats to frame the Justice Department's investigation into him as part of a campaign of political retribution, according to talking points obtained by Axios.
Why it matters: The messaging memo, first reported by Semafor, echos Newsom's assertion that the probe was directly ordered by President Trump to kneecap the California governor's political aspirations.
- "He ordered this investigation because the Governor is considering a run for President. Donald Trump is not investigating a crime. He is investigating a critic," the two-page document says.
- The DOJ declined to comment, but a source familiar with the investigation said it originated from "whistleblowers and local sources in California" and was not ordered by Trump or DOJ officials in D.C.
Driving the news: Newsom said in a video posted to social media Monday that "in recent days, federal agents have knocked on the doors of family friends and former employees — not because they found a crime, because they're simply trying to find one."
- "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," Newsom said.
- Newsom pointed to the DOJ's attempts to probe or prosecute former Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), former FBI Director James Comey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as other alleged examples of the Trump administration targeting the president's critics.
- "Anyone who has challenged Donald Trump has ended up on his hit list, and today I proudly join that list," he added.
The other side: The source familiar with the investigation told Axios there are several probes into those in Newsom's orbit, including one regarding California first lady Jen Siebel Newsom's "tax activities."
- Another pertains to Dana Williamson, a former Newsom chief of staff and political advisor to Xavier Becerra who pleaded guilty last month to lying to the FBI, filing a false tax return and conspiracy to commit fraud.
- The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California has been investigating "for roughly a year" and they are "very legitimate, serious investigations," the source said.
Between the lines: The "key messages" section of the memo largely reflects what Newsom said in his video, but the "common Q&A" section offers additional insight into his arguments.
- In response to "what exactly is the DOJ investigating," the document recommends the answer: "That's a question Trump's Department of Justice needs to answer. They are chasing conspiracy theories, and there isn't any credible evidence supporting the allegation of illegal conduct."
- On whether Newsom has committed a crime, it pivots to Trump's felony convictions and quips that the governor "has jaywalked before — Trump may seek an indictment for that."
- The document also says that Williamson's charges "had to do with conduct from before she worked for the Governor," claiming the DOJ offered her "a 'deal' in exchange for information on the Governor."
