Add The California Post on Google A sizable share of Democrats support the federal probe into California Gov. Gavin Newsom and his wife as the duo claims President Donald Trump is directing a politically motivated attack against them, a new survey shows.
A Daily Mail/JL Partners poll found 27% of Democrats support the probe into California’s first couple, with 14% saying they “somewhat support” the investigation and 13% saying they “strongly support” it.
Last month, Newsom announced he and his wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom were the targets of a federal investigation by the US Department of Justice.
The investigation, which involves the FBI and IRS, has reportedly focused on Siebel Newsom’s finances and the couple’s tax records.
Federal agents have contacted numerous friends, family members and associates. The probe has reportedly been underway since at least 2025 and is separate from another ongoing federal investigation that resulted in Dana Williamson, the former chief of staff in Newsom’s political inner circle, pleading guilty to federal fraud and tax charges.
When the investigation first became public, many Democrats — including Sen. Adam Schiff as well as former Vice President Kamala Harris — rallied behind Newsom.
Among the 1,059 registered voters surveyed by Daily Mail and JL Partners, 43% of independent voters said they either strongly or somewhat support the investigation, while 36% opposed it.
Support was, as expected, much higher among Republicans, with more than 70% backing the investigation.
The findings come as Newsom has become one of Trump’s fiercest critics during the president’s second term. The Democratic governor and Republican president have repeatedly clashed over issues ranging from immigration enforcement to climate policy.
Newsom is publicly weighing a 2028 presidential run and has confirmed he is considering a bid for the White House. He is serving the final months of his second and final term as governor and is widely expected to seek the Democratic nomination.
The Daily Mail/JL Partners poll also found that when Democratic registered voters were asked who they would support for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, Newsom placed second with 15%. Former Vice President Kamala Harris led the field, while former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg came in third with 11%.
Earlier this month, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche rejected Newsom’s claims that the Justice Department is politically targeting him, saying the governor’s assertions are not “grounded in fact.”
“The only thing I’ll say about what he chose to do and what he chose to say is, I’m not sure his words are in any way grounded in fact,” Blanche said during a news conference.
“He’d have to address that,” Blanche added.
Newsom claimed June 15 that Trump had directed the Justice Department to investigate him and his wife in an effort to undermine a potential White House campaign.
The California governor has described the investigation as a politically motivated “fishing expedition” by Trump’s DOJ, saying he and his wife have “nothing to hide.” Newsom has also argued the inquiry is aimed at him because he is considering a presidential run, saying, “To get me, he’s coming after my wife.”
“He can choose to say whatever he thinks helps him,” Blanche said. “It doesn’t make it true.”
California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedInCalifornia Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, XCalifornia Post Opinion California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!California Post App: Download here!Home delivery: Sign up here!Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!
