Federal Probe Into Gavin Newsom Takes New Twist
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, widely viewed as a potential contender for the Democratic Party’s 2028 presidential nomination, is facing intensified federal scrutiny over outside money used to finance international travel and other expenses.
Federal investigators have issued subpoenas seeking approximately six years of communications and financial records connected to the California State Protocol Foundation, according to documents reviewed by the San Francisco Standard.
The subpoenas were issued in early September by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California.
Investigators are seeking records concerning the nonprofit’s donors and fundraising operations, Newsom’s foreign travel and participation in international events. They are also examining funds reportedly used for the governor’s residence, living expenses and other potentially personal costs.
One subpoena says the requested documents relate to “a criminal investigation pending in the Eastern District of California.”
The subpoenas do not specify what potential crime investigators may be examining. No charges have been announced, and the inclusion of a person or organization in a subpoena does not establish wrongdoing.
Newsom’s office denied any misconduct and accused President Donald Trump’s administration of weaponizing the Justice Department against a likely political rival.
“Governor Newsom went after the king — and as he warned in June, the tyrant is now coming after everyone around him,” Newsom spokesperson Tara Gallegos told the New York Post.
“This is what Donald Trump does to his enemies: investigate first, hunt for a crime that doesn’t exist second.”
Newsom revealed in June that federal investigators were examining matters involving him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom. He similarly claimed President Trump was using federal law enforcement to target a political opponent.
That accusation, however, has been disputed by reporting about the inquiry’s origins. A source familiar with the matter told the Los Angeles Times in June that multiple investigations involving individuals in Newsom’s circle began with information supplied by California whistleblowers—not with an order from Washington.
Federal prosecutors have declined to publicly define the investigation’s full scope.
The newly disclosed subpoenas offer the strongest indication to date that investigators are closely examining the California State Protocol Foundation and its relationship with Newsom’s administration.
Established in 2001, before Newsom became governor, the nonprofit has been used by Republican and Democratic administrations to pay expenses that might otherwise be covered by taxpayers.
Its stated responsibilities include financing official events, hosting foreign dignitaries and covering costs associated with gubernatorial travel.
During Newsom’s tenure, the foundation has helped finance official trips to China, Mexico, Israel, El Salvador and the Vatican. The organization maintains that its activities comply with the law and reduce the financial burden on California taxpayers.
Yet concerns about donor transparency and potential conflicts of interest have followed the foundation for years.
State and federal records reviewed by the Standard reportedly show that more than $5 million raised through funds associated with Newsom’s 2019 and 2023 inaugurations was later transferred to the foundation.
Some contributors reportedly included corporations, tribal organizations and other entities with financial or regulatory interests before California’s government.
Since Newsom entered office in 2019, he has also directed more than $7.5 million in outside contributions to the foundation, according to the Standard’s examination of state records.
Federal investigators are now requesting communications involving several current and former Newsom aides and associates.
Among them is Rebecca Prowda, California’s chief protocol officer and the wife of San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie. Prowda oversees the governor’s international travel.
The subpoenas also seek communications connected to former Newsom chief of staff Steve Kawa, former executive secretary Jim DeBoo, former deputy chief of staff Jason Elliott and others associated with the foundation.
Newsom’s former chief of staff Dana Williamson has separately pleaded guilty in a federal corruption prosecution that began under former President Joe Biden. That case is not part of the current travel investigation, but it has added to mounting scrutiny surrounding Newsom’s political network.
The latest subpoenas suggest prosecutors are examining more than the funding of official overseas travel. Investigators also appear interested in whether outside contributions were used for residential, living or other personal expenses.
For now, Newsom, his wife and those connected to the Protocol Foundation have not been charged in relation to the inquiry. But as the Democratic governor positions himself on the national stage ahead of 2028, the expanding federal investigation could become a significant political liability.