Federal Probe Into Gavin Newsom Takes New Twist
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, thought to be among the top Democrats expected to vie for their party’s 2028 presidential nomination, has come under additional scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Federal investigators have expanded their examination of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, issuing subpoenas seeking years of records involving a nonprofit that has helped pay for his international travel and other official expenses.
The subpoenas, issued in early September by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California, request roughly six years of communications and financial records tied to the California State Protocol Foundation, according to documents reviewed by the San Francisco Standard.
The records sought include information about the foundation’s donors and fundraisers, Newsom’s international travel and participation in overseas events, and money used for the governor’s residence, living expenses or other personal costs.
One subpoena states that the records are being sought for “a criminal investigation pending in the Eastern District of California.”
The subpoenas do not identify a specific crime under investigation, and being named in them does not mean an individual has been accused of wrongdoing.
Newsom’s office has strongly denied misconduct and characterized the investigation as politically motivated.
“Governor Newsom went after the king — and as he warned in June, the tyrant is now coming after everyone around him,” Tara Gallegos, a spokesperson for the governor’s office, said in a statement to the New York Post.
“This is what Donald Trump does to his enemies: investigate first, hunt for a crime that doesn’t exist second.”
The governor previously disclosed in June that federal investigators were examining matters involving him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom. He accused President Trump of using the Justice Department against a political opponent.
Federal prosecutors have declined to publicly confirm the exact scope of the investigation.
A source familiar with the matter told the Los Angeles Times in June that multiple inquiries involving people in Newsom’s orbit had originated from information provided by California whistleblowers rather than a directive from Washington.
The latest subpoenas provide the clearest indication yet that investigators are scrutinizing the California State Protocol Foundation.
The nonprofit was created in 2001, before Newsom became governor, and has been used by both Republican and Democratic administrations to cover costs that otherwise could fall on taxpayers.
Its stated mission includes funding official events, hosting foreign dignitaries and paying expenses associated with gubernatorial travel.
Under Newsom, the foundation has helped finance trips to destinations including China, Mexico, Israel, the Vatican and El Salvador.
The foundation says it has lawfully supported governors of both parties and exists to reduce the burden on taxpayers.
Questions about its donors and transparency, however, have persisted for years.
State and federal records reviewed by the Standard show that more than $5 million raised through funds associated with Newsom’s 2019 and 2023 inaugurations was later transferred to the Protocol Foundation.
Some donors included companies, tribes and other organizations with business interests before the state.
Since taking office in 2019, Newsom has also directed more than $7.5 million in outside contributions to the foundation, according to the Standard’s review of state records.
Federal investigators are seeking communications involving several current and former Newsom aides and associates, including Rebecca Prowda, the governor’s chief protocol officer and the wife of San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie.
Prowda oversees Newsom’s international travel.
The subpoenas also request communications involving former Newsom chief of staff Steve Kawa, former executive secretary Jim DeBoo, former deputy chief of staff Jason Elliott and others connected to the foundation.
Newsom’s former chief of staff Dana Williamson has separately pleaded guilty in a federal corruption case that began during the Biden administration.
That case is distinct from the current travel inquiry, though it has contributed to broader scrutiny of Newsom’s political and government circle.
The subpoenas reviewed by the Standard suggest investigators are looking not only at how Newsom’s travel was funded but also whether outside money may have been used for personal or residential expenses.
For now, no charges have been announced against Newsom, his wife or anyone connected to the Protocol Foundation in connection with the latest inquiry.
💥 PRESS DEBUT DISASTER!
Katie Zacharia’s Awkward First White House Press Briefing Draws National Attention
Katie Zacharia’s first appearance behind the White House podium quickly became a major talking point after several uncomfortable moments overshadowed her debut as President Donald Trump’s new press secretary.
The October 13 briefing lasted approximately 14 minutes, with Zacharia answering questions from only three news outlets before ending the session. Her short appearance immediately attracted widespread media attention.
Zacharia had recently been selected to replace former press secretary Karoline Leavitt, stepping into a highly visible role responsible for communicating the administration’s positions to journalists and the American public.
From the opening minutes, observers noticed her reliance on prepared notes. She delivered a lengthy account of Trump’s accomplishments, frequently looking down at the script instead of maintaining eye contact with reporters.
Her delivery also attracted criticism, with commentators describing her voice as hesitant and her presentation as unusually stiff. Others questioned whether the administration had given its newest spokesperson enough preparation time.
Much of the briefing focused on praising Trump’s economic agenda, energy policies, rally attendance, and political achievements. The extended list of talking points left relatively little time for substantive exchanges with journalists.
One particularly awkward moment occurred when Zacharia discussed the challenge of balancing her demanding position with family life. She explained that spending evenings away from her four children was unacceptable to her.
She then accidentally referred to her husband as “my president” before immediately correcting herself with “my husband.” Recognizing the slip, she added a brief joke, creating the briefing’s most widely discussed moment.
The verbal mix-up spread rapidly through news coverage and social media, becoming a defining image of her first appearance. Critics treated it as evidence of nervousness, while others viewed it as an ordinary human mistake.
Her response to a question about U.S. intelligence sharing with Ukraine also drew attention. When asked whether Washington had stopped sharing intelligence with Kyiv, Zacharia replied that she would have to get back to the reporter.
The exchange was brief, but it highlighted the difficulty of responding to sensitive foreign policy questions without immediately having the necessary information. Reporters continued seeking answers as the briefing moved forward.
Another significant announcement concerned Kimberly Guilfoyle, the U.S. ambassador to Greece. Zacharia told reporters that the administration had asked Guilfoyle to resign, unexpectedly introducing a personnel development into the short briefing.
The announcement generated additional headlines and demonstrated that, despite the awkward delivery, Zacharia’s first appearance included consequential political news. Her handling of the announcement, however, also attracted scrutiny from commentators.
Questions about her readiness soon emerged among political observers and some administration allies. The Wall Street Journal described the debut as rocky, reporting that her nervous presentation prompted questions about the decision to put her before cameras so quickly.
The brief question-and-answer session was another unusual feature. After taking questions from Breitbart News, Fox News, and the Daily Mail, Zacharia announced that reporters could ask Trump questions directly as he prepared to leave.
Her decision to end the briefing after such limited questioning became another focus of criticism. Regular White House briefings often involve extended exchanges, making the short session particularly noticeable to journalists and political commentators.
Despite the criticism, Trump publicly defended his new press secretary. Asked about her performance, the president said he thought she had done very well, offering a clear show of support following the difficult debut.
The White House also presented the briefing positively, describing Zacharia’s performance as commanding. That assessment contrasted with critical media coverage, illustrating how differently supporters and detractors interpreted the same appearance.
Zacharia’s debut has therefore become an early test of her ability to manage a demanding communications role. Future briefings will offer a clearer indication of whether she can develop greater confidence and handle sustained questioning.
For now, the accidental “my president” remark remains the most memorable moment from her first appearance. Whether the incident becomes a brief viral embarrassment or a lasting political talking point will depend on what follows.
