California Governor Gavin Newsom has publicly accused President Donald Trump of directing the US Department of Justice to open an investigation into him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, in what he describes as a politically motivated attempt to damage a potential rival for the 2028 presidential election. In a video posted on Monday, Newsom said federal agents had in recent days knocked on the doors of family members, friends and former employees, demanding records and “trying to find a crime” rather than responding to one. The White House and the Justice Department have so far declined to comment on the allegations.

Viewed from Washington, the episode fits a broader pattern of the Trump administration targeting high-profile Democratic opponents, but the inclusion of a spouse marks a significant escalation. Right-wing media outlets have for months focused critical attention on Jennifer Siebel Newsom, a documentary filmmaker and advocate for gender equality. Newsom, who has long traded barbs with Trump over issues ranging from climate policy to immigration, framed the investigation as retaliation for his repeated public criticism of the president and his potential White House ambitions. “He’s coming after me because I am considering running for president,” Newsom said, adding that Trump “hates that I’ve consistently called him out over and over again for his lies and deceit.”

International observers have reacted with concern. In European capitals, analysts note that the use of justice institutions to harass political adversaries echoes tactics more commonly associated with illiberal regimes. A commentary in the German press described the move as an attempt to intimidate a rival “not because they have discovered a crime, but simply to find one.” Latin American outlets, with their own histories of lawfare, have highlighted Newsom’s warning that “the country is watching.” Australian media framed the story as a test of democratic resilience, noting that Trump has repeatedly singled out Democrat-led California for punitive measures during his second term.

The investigation’s precise scope remains unclear, but Newsom’s preemptive public disclosure appears designed to shape the narrative before any formal charges or leaks emerge. By casting himself as a target of presidential overreach, he may rally Democratic voters and donors ahead of a likely 2028 campaign. Yet the lack of official confirmation leaves room for scepticism, and Trump’s allies may dismiss the claim as political theatre. What is certain is that the episode deepens the already yawning chasm between the White House and the nation’s most populous state, and further erodes the norm that the justice system should operate independently of partisan conflict.