Gov. Gavin Newsom grew defensive Thursday when reporters pressed him on why he has not released his tax returns since 2020, deflecting to President Trump and calling ongoing federal investigations into him and his wife a “witch hunt.”
Newsom, who has repeatedly pledged to release his annual tax returns while in office, has not publicly disclosed any returns beyond those covering tax year 2020. He offered no explanation for the gap.
“I know you love taxes,” Newsom told reporters. “Donald Trump, when has he released them?”
When reminded that he has positioned himself as a transparency contrast to Trump, Newsom acknowledged having released past returns but could not explain why recent filings remain unavailable. “I have no reason why you haven’t gotten them already,” he said.
The governor spoke at a school event in Davis, California, and pivoted to attacks on the Trump administration when pressed for specifics about the federal inquiries. The investigations include a probe into the finances of his wife, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, whose nonprofit reportedly lost $1 million, and a separate inquiry linked to former Newsom chief of staff Dana Williamson.
Williamson pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, subscribing to a false tax return and lying to the FBI. She faces sentencing in September.
The investigations deepened last week when Williamson’s attorney confirmed that Newsom appointee Alexis Podesta wore an FBI wire in the corruption investigation targeting Williamson. Podesta served on Newsom’s cabinet and was closely aligned with Williamson while she ran the governor’s office.
Newsom denied the probe had any legitimate basis. “It says everything you need to know about the United States of America under Donald Trump,” he said, accusing the Justice Department of “weaponization.”
“Going after my wife, doesn’t have the guts, he’s tried,” Newsom said, referring to Trump. “Couldn’t figure out how to get me. Now he’s trying to find anyone around us.”
The governor also claimed his associates have been forced to hire private attorneys. “Poor and innocent people getting knocks on the door first thing in the morning,” he said.
Newsom announced the federal probes publicly in June, framing it as a warning to supporters. He is widely expected to run for president in 2028.
He did not offer a timeline for releasing his withheld tax returns.
