Newsom's political defense faces skepticism as DOJ investigation continues

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is blaming politics for a Department of Justice investigation into his and his wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom's finances, but one critic says that explanation does little to address the conduct that drew federal scrutiny in the first place.

"We don't know whether these investigations are politically motivated or not," California Post opinion editor Joel Pollak told FOX Business.

"It didn't help John Bolton when he said that the investigation into his misuse of classified information was politically motivated. He just recently pleaded guilty, so that doesn't actually explain whether Newsom is guilty or not."

Pollak said the controversy extends beyond charitable donations and centers on so-called "behested payments" — contributions solicited by elected officials for causes or organizations they support.

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In Newsom's case, Pollak noted that some of the payments were directed to organizations linked to Newsom's wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest.

"It wasn't just charitable donations," Pollak said.

"He was fined for failing to report what are called behested payments... and if Newsom were being honest with the voters of California, he would come clean about what these behested payments are, instead of waiting until beyond the deadline to account for them," he added.

Pollak argued that the arrangement creates the appearance that donors could receive favorable treatment from the governor.

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The governor has accused the Trump Department of Justice's investigation of being politically motivated and linked it to his expected 2028 presidential run.

"After calling for my arrest last year, Donald Trump directed his Department of Justice to investigate me," Newsom said in a video statement. "And just in the last week, I’ve learned his campaign has reached my own home: to get me, he’s coming after my wife, Jen."

In a statement to Fox News, Jennifer Siebel Newsom blasted the Trump administration for the alleged overreach.

"There are clearly no boundaries to what Donald Trump will do to get his way or to challenge those who get in his way. This is not presidential behavior, and the Governor and I will continue to speak truth to power because the American people deserve so much more," she said.

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The California governor's office previously referred Fox News Digital to a fact sheet claiming that federal investigators spent months trying to indict Newsom and, upon failing, widened their search for criminal activity. The fact sheet also asserts that federal agents have subpoenaed records and conducted interviews covering years of activity.

Sources familiar with the matter told Fox News that the investigation has been ongoing since 2025 and that the probe is based on whistleblower complaints related to Newsom and his wife's personal finances. The case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Sacramento. 

Fox News Digital's Bonny Chu and Robert Schmad contributed to this report.