Briefnow
May 11, 2026

Justice Dept. Probe Into Newsoms Continues Amid Tax Return Questions

Nearly a month after an announcement that reverberated through California politics, many of the key questions surrounding Gov. Gavin Newsom remain unresolved.

Rather than providing clarity, the weeks since have raised additional questions about legal representation, financial disclosures, and the scope of a federal investigation that Newsom says involves people close to him.

Newsom has said that both he and “First Partner” Jennifer Siebel Newsom remain under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, while critics continue seeking more information about the inquiry and the governor’s unreleased financial disclosures.

The governor first disclosed the investigation in June, alleging that federal agents had contacted family members, friends, and former employees in what he described as a politically motivated effort.

“Federal agents have knocked on the doors of family, friends, and former employees, not because they found a crime, but because they’re simply trying to find one,” Newsom said at the time.

He also claimed investigators were seeking records and misusing the grand jury process but did not identify the individuals who had been contacted or specify the records being requested.

According to Townhall Media, sources familiar with the matter have alleged that multiple federal investigations began during the Biden administration, including at least one reportedly involving Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s taxes and nonprofit organizations.

Those claims have not been independently confirmed, and the Department of Justice has not commented, consistent with its policy of not discussing ongoing investigations.

Since announcing the probe, Newsom has confirmed that he and his wife retained private legal counsel but has declined to identify their attorney.

At a recent press conference, Newsom was asked about his tax returns for 2021 through 2025 after his office had previously indicated they would be released publicly.

“I already have. I’ve given 20 years of my taxes,” Newsom responded before comparing his record to President Donald Trump’s.

When pressed on why the more recent returns had not yet been released, Newsom said reporters would receive them and insisted he had “no problem” making them public. Critics, however, note that those returns have yet to be released.

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