Gavin Newsom and the curious California world of – Latest News
Gavin Newsom claimed on social media Monday that President Donald Trump had ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) to analyze him.
The New York Times confirmed later that the DOJ has been questioning “friends and associates” of the governor and “first partner” Jennifer Siebel Newsom.
The governor claims that the investigation is politically motivated, “because I am considering running for president.”
Is that each one there may be? Not so fast.
In March, The California Post reported that the governor had funneled hundreds of thousands of {dollars} to a non-profit group based by his spouse by way of what are known as “behested payments.”
The governor claims that the investigation is politically motivated, “because I am considering running for president.” David Buchan for Ca Post
Gov. Newsom has “behested” donations to a selection of causes — together with the California Partners Project, a nonprofit group based by his spouse that focuses on gender equity. The Care Project
“Behested payments” are a curious California establishment. They are donations that politicians solicit on behalf of nonprofit organizations.
These funds used to stay in the shadows. Thanks to ethics reforms in 2021, donations above $5,000 have to be declared.
But the guidelines are nonetheless moderately unfastened, and politicians nonetheless use “behested payments” to steer money towards pet causes and nonprofit teams.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton has known as these funds “literally corruption in plain sight,” and vowed to ban them.
Gov. Newsom has “behested” donations to a selection of causes — together with the California Partners Project, a nonprofit group based by his spouse that focuses on gender equity.
Sometimes, the donors have pursuits at stake in choices by the state authorities.
The Washington Free Beacon reported in 2025 that the governor had requested a Native American tribe to make two separate $500,000 donations to the California Partners Project. He apparently took that tribe’s facet in a dispute with one other tribe over a on line casino.
The Free Beacon famous that Siebel Newsom doesn’t take a wage from the group. But it added that the hundreds of thousands of {dollars} in donations that the governor had “behested” for his spouse’s group had helped in “keeping the lights on at her charity.”
The California Post additionally reported that The California Partners Project generally collaborates with Siebel Newsom’s different nonprofit, The Representation Project, which pays her $150,000 per 12 months, and additionally pays her private-sector movie manufacturing company.
You can see why the DOJ might need some questions. So can we.
Joel Pollak is Opinion editor at The California Post.
