Todd Blanche refused to say Monday whether President Donald Trump's Justice Department is investigating Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom — hours after Newsom went public with the probe.The moment came during a photo op ahead of Blanche's confirmation meeting with Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley. When reporters pressed Blanche on the Newsom investigation, Grassley cut them off."This is not a news conference," the Iowa Republican said.Newsom announced earlier Monday that he and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, are under investigation by the Department of Justice. He called it a political hit job ordered by Trump."They have not found a crime," Gov. Newsom wrote on X. "They are simply trying to find one."Gov. Newsom said he believes he's being targeted because he is considering a 2028 presidential run — and has spent years as one of Trump's most vocal Democratic critics.Blanche has served as acting attorney general since Trump fired former Attorney General Pam Bondi on April 2. He was Trump's personal criminal defense attorney before taking over the Justice Department — a fact Democrats have repeatedly raised as a conflict of interest.Blanche was formally nominated on June 8 and faces a contested confirmation, with several Republican senators still uncommitted.
'We’re going to fight your lawlessness. And we're going to continue to remind the people of this country of your corruption'
Former Trump administration White House attorney Ty Cobb was not at all shocked on Monday to hear reports that California Gov. Gavin Newsom is under federal investigation — but was saddened at the state of the Justice Department."I'm not surprised that [Newsom] would announce it," Cobb told MS NOW's Katy Tur, responding to the official video announcement from his office. "I think that's a smart move. There's no reason to hide it."Cobb added that the fact that the investigation exists at all is predictable, too, noting that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth opened a probe into Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) — also frequently discussed as a presidential candidate — over his participation in a video reminding troops they can refuse illegal orders. "Newsom's a potential presidential candidate. I think most presidential candidates, just like most presidential candidates, should expect that they will be met with abuses of this sort."Tur soon followed up by asking Cobb how acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has achieved such a political stranglehold over the rank and file in federal law enforcement. "Why do they go along with what appeared to be political, the political retribution that Donald Trump desires?""That's an excellent question," said Cobb. "I think it's sad, obviously."The issue, he argued, happened with Blanche's predecessor, Pam Bondi, who "made it clear early on in the Great Hall of Justice that she was dedicating her role and her office and her entire department to serving Trump, not the Constitution." And Blanche has continued this on, said Cobb, from his prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey to his involvement in the $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization" slush fund to pay out Trump's allies who were criminally charged in the past."I think this is really a tragedy that we have such a lack of character among public servants these days," Cobb added. "And hopefully some will come forward with courage and with integrity." - YouTube youtu.be
The Trump administration has opened a criminal probe into California Gov. Gavin Newsom and his wife, the governor announced on Monday.According to The New York Times, a source close to the probe "said there were multiple federal investigations underway related to the governor, including one looking at his wife’s finances," and that federal law enforcement officials in California, rather than Trump appointees in D.C., opened the investigation "based on government witnesses offering information there."Newsom's office has said that "several people" linked to their family were contacted by federal agents, and they also believe "the agents have ... subpoenaed banking records, but said they had seen no written evidence of that."In a video statement released on Monday, Newsom, who has become notorious for his social media postings mocking the president, attacked the probe as a politically motivated fishing expedition to try to gin up charges against a political rival, noting that he has often been floated as a presidential contender for 2028."Donald Trump isn’t just coming after me because of my mean Tweets," said Newsom. "He’s coming after me because I am considering running for President. Because he hates that I’ve consistently called him out – over and over again – for his lies and deceit. Donald Trump is simply the most corrupt President in American history."Newsom also listed several more cases in which the Trump administration launched various controversial investigations into various people perceived as rivals or figures who wronged him."His personal attorney [Todd Blanche] now runs the Department of Justice, which has repeatedly gone after his political enemies," Newsom said. "Ask Jerome Powell. He sent them after James Comey. Tish James. Adam Schiff. He sent them after Tim Walz. And a woman that a jury found Donald Trump had sexually abused.""One by one, anyone who has challenged Donald Trump has ended up on his hit list," he added. "And today, I proudly join that list."
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, said the Justice Department is investigating he and his wife, Jennifer.
The Democratic California governor accused Trump of using federal law-enforcement powers to target a political adversary.
California Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday fumed, saying he and his wife are under federal investigation. The post BREAKING: California Governor Gavin Newsom FUMES as He Announces He is Under Federal Investigation (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
The U.S.-Iran deal was signed electronically on Sunday by President Trump, Vice President Vance and Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, senior administration officials told reporters on Monday. Why it matters: The deal is already testing whether Washington and Tehran can turn a battlefield pause into a broader settlement — starting with the Strait of Hormuz, and then moving to the far thornier question of Iran's nuclear program.State of play: A 60-day ceasefire extension is in effect, U.S. officials say, including in Lebanon. But the Strait of Hormuz is not expected to begin reopening until after a formal signing ceremony Friday in Geneva.Vance, U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Ghalibaf and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are expected to meet Friday with Pakistani and Qatari mediators to discuss the next phase.U.S. officials say the full text of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) will be released in the next 24-48 hours, though Trump said it might not be published until after it's signed.The big picture: Washington and Tehran are racing to shape the narrative around a deal that few people have actually read, but which markets, world leaders and ordinary citizens are already reacting to.The U.S. says relief for Iran will be tied to performance. Iranian state media has described a more generous package.Shipping companies say they're waiting for clearer guarantees from Tehran before sending cargo through the Strait of Hormuz.Hawks in Washington and Israel are pressing the White House to explain exactly what Iran is getting — and what happens if nuclear talks fail.Breaking it down: Here are eight key questions that are still swirling around the deal.The White House did not respond to the questions when asked by Axios.1. Is the deal actually in effect?The MOU was signed electronically on Sunday, with a more formal signing ceremony to be held on Friday in Switzerland.The 60-day extension of the ceasefire took immediate effect, but the strait is not yet fully open.While Trump announced the "immediate" lifting of the U.S. blockade and opening of the strait on Sunday, he later said it would open on Friday once the ceremony takes place.A U.S. defense official said the military was ordered to prepare to lift the blockade Friday.Trump claimed Monday that ships were already moving, though Iranian state media said the status of the strait was unchanged.2. Will the strait be truly "open"?The U.S. side has consistently said the deal would open the strait without "tolls" or any other restrictions. A regional diplomat involved in the mediation told Axios last week that the deal called for shipping volumes through the strait to return to prewar levels within 30 days. But Iranian officials have told state media the strait won't simply return to "pre-war status," and that Iran will retain some level of control.The Fars news agency reported that Iran had agreed not to impose tolls during the 60 days, but would begin charging safety and environmental fees after that.The intrigue: A senior administration official said there would be a "regional dialogue" on the future of the strait and how to ensure it will never be closed again.State of play: Shipping companies are moving cautiously. Maersk and others have said they're waiting for more clarity and guarantees of safety, and some analysts doubt volumes will actually return to the pre-war norm any time soon.A senior administration official told reporters the U.S. expects volumes to increase significantly over the next two weeks, though probably not to return to normal."Some crews want to see a little bit more stability for the next couple of days, maybe the next couple of weeks," the official said.3. What does Iran get?Both sides agree that Iran gets two big things: an end to the fighting, and sanctions waivers to allow oil exports. That alone would generate much-needed revenue for Tehran, but Iranian state media has claimed the government is also getting billions of dollars in frozen funds just for signing.A senior U.S. official adamantly denied that, saying Iran would only get access to those funds based on a "pay for performance model." The full economic benefits of the deal, the U.S. side says, depend on signing a more detailed nuclear accord.Some skeptics of the deal have raised concerns there might be side agreements that give Iran access to cash immediately, though the White House calls that "misinformation."Yes, but: The senior administration official said the U.S. was prepared to make some "small gestures" early in the process on frozen funds and sanctions relief if Iran made similar "gestures" reflecting their willingness to comply with the deal.4. Do they agree about what's been agreed?The U.S.
The internet fired off reactions on Monday after California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the Department of Justice launched an investigation targeting him and his wife.Newsom claimed that federal agents — under President Donald Trump's orders — have contacted people and organizations connected to California's first lady, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and have begun investigating him as one of the president's political adversaries. The governor and outspoken Trump critic has considered a presidential run for 2028 and cited that as the reason behind the probe.He dropped a direct message for the president in a video response posted on X."Today, my wife & I joined Donald Trump’s hit list. He has directed his Department of Justice to investigate us," Newsom wrote."Mr. President, come after me. I am not going anywhere," Newsom said.Media and political experts responded to the news."Malignant narcissists target anyone who threatens their image and challenges their interests. Especially effective communicators like Newsom who criticize with what seem like accurate allegations," Bob Pickard, principal at Leadership Communication Inc., who has more than 86,000 followers, wrote on X."Congrats to Newsom's fundraiser," Igor Bobic, Senate reporter at NOTUS, wrote on X."Trump is disgusting," Jennifer Fatzinger, a Democratic political commentator with more than 11,000 followers, wrote on X."Newsom's 2028 numbers have been falling the last few months, but with Trump seeking to prosecute him those numbers are bound to go back up," politics and culture writer Nick Field wrote on X."What a petty little man-baby Donald is. He constantly lies and wraps himself in a cloack [SIC] of victimhood. But his number one focus, besides his ballroom and momuments [SIC], is weaponizing every branch of government against people who stand up to him," progressive political commentator Janice Hough, who has more than 37,000 followers, wrote on X.Congrats to Newsom's fundraiser https://t.co/RfPbInRX1S— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) June 15, 2026