California Attorney General Rob Bonta has backed Governor Gavin Newsom’s allegations against the Trump administration. Bonta asserts that the Trump administration has consistently used the Justice Department for political purposes.

Bonta’s comments come in response to reports that a federal probe involving Newsom and his wife began in California, not Washington, D.C. Bonta criticized former President Trump’s alleged influence over the Department of Justice. He described the situation as a misuse of power against political adversaries.

Governor Newsom recently announced on social media that he and his wife are the subjects of a DOJ investigation. He claims the probe was politically motivated by Trump and said that they have joined “Trump’s hit list.”

“Newsom is the governor for the biggest state, the bluest state in the nation, the fourth largest economy in the world,” Bonta emphasized. He suggested that Newsom’s potential presidential aspirations make him a target.

Bonta claims that Trump transformed the DOJ’s focus from criminal prosecutions to political persecution. He accused Trump of directing former Attorney General Pam Bondi to target political rivals.

While declining to comment, Senator Adam Schiff, D-Calif., is reportedly linked to the probe that originated from whistleblower complaints about Newsom’s finances. Fox News sources indicate that the investigation, involving the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sacramento, began in 2025. The Associated Press reported that the probe’s initiation did not involve Washington.

A related investigation during President Joe Biden’s administration led to charges against Newsom’s former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, for corruption. Newsom himself was not personally implicated in that case.

In response to these developments, Newsom’s office has filed a public records request with the DOJ. They seek documents mentioning Newsom or his wife during Trump’s presidency.

Contributors to this story include Fox News’ David Spunt, Jake Gibson, and Olivia Palombo.