California Governor Says Federal Probes Target Him and His Wife

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday that federal investigations into him and his wife are underway and challenged President Trump to pursue them. Newsom told a reporter in Chicago that agents have interviewed family members, friends and former employees and requested records from his office.

He said the probes concern tax issues for his wife and actions by current and former staff for himself.

” A source familiar with the matter said the cases originated from whistleblower reports sent to the Justice Department office in Sacramento, not from any directive by the president. The governor’s top lawyer sent a letter earlier this week to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche asking for all records related to the investigations.

The Justice Department has not commented on the request.

Newsom attended the opening of former President Obama’s presidential library with her husband on Thursday and declined to discuss the probes. She praised the former president’s leadership instead. Newsom described a contrast between the event and the current administration’s investigations, saying the country has been missing a sense of unity.