California Sen. Adam Schiff (D) said Sunday that investigations involving California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) should not automatically be dismissed, while also questioning whether the Justice Department is applying its authority fairly under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Schiff’s remarks came during an interview with KCRA as scrutiny continues over ongoing federal investigations involving Newsom, his wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom and several nonprofit organizations connected to the family.
The California Democrat was asked about the Justice Department probe and whether it could potentially have merit despite allegations from Newsom that the investigation is politically motivated.
“I’m not saying that there can never be merit to an investigation … even when it involves someone who is not a fan of the president,” Schiff said.
The senator, however, expressed concern about what he described as a pattern of conduct by the Justice Department.
“What we are seeing, what we have seen, is such dramatic proof of the abuse of the department,” Schiff said.
Newsom has accused Trump of directing federal investigators to target him as retaliation while he weighs a possible presidential campaign in 2028.
The governor has described the investigation as politically motivated and argued that federal law enforcement agencies are being used against political opponents.
According to reports, the investigations involve tax records, nonprofit organizations associated with Jennifer Siebel Newsom and an expanded inquiry linked to Newsom’s former chief of staff.
Federal investigators have reportedly reviewed financial records and conducted interviews as part of the ongoing probes.
Schiff acknowledged that he does not possess detailed knowledge regarding the underlying facts of the investigation.
“My understanding is that the governor’s former chief of staff said the governor had no involvement in what she ended up pleading guilty to. So that’s as much as I know of the facts of that,” Schiff said.
The senator pointed to other Justice Department actions that he believes raise concerns about political motivations.
Schiff specifically referenced the federal prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey.
“The indictment of James Comey over seashells, for example, is inexplicable,” Schiff said.
“That case will be thrown out. It’s just a question of how soon it will be thrown out, whether it’s thrown out by a judge or thrown out by a jury. That is a terrible abuse,” he added.
Schiff argued that such cases have created skepticism about investigations involving prominent critics of the administration.
The senator said the pattern places greater responsibility on federal authorities to demonstrate that politically sensitive investigations are being conducted appropriately, per the New York Post.
“When you see abuses like that, then you just have to call into question any time they’re calling for the prosecution of their enemies,” Schiff said.
“So the proof has been quite compelling, and I think it shifts the burden to the Justice Department to prove what they’re doing is legitimate,” he added.
Schiff and Newsom have maintained a close political relationship for years and are among California’s most prominent Democratic figures.
The investigations remain ongoing, and no criminal charges have been filed against Newsom or his wife.
Federal officials have not publicly detailed the scope of the inquiries beyond information that has emerged through reporting and public statements.
