Gavin Newsom

In response to Republican redistricting in Texas, Newsom pursued a California strategy to temporarily replace independently drawn maps with a legislative plan capable of flipping five Republican House seats. Voters approved Proposition 50 in November 2025. Republicans and the Trump administration subsequently challenged the map, alleging, among other things, racial gerrymandering.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

In June 2026, Newsom stated that the Department of Justice was investigating him and his wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom. The Washington Post reported, citing sources familiar with the matter, several investigations surrounding Newsom: one examining possible tax offences involving a nonprofit linked to his wife, another connected to the case of his former chief of staff, who had pleaded guilty to corruption and bank fraud offences.

Following a Supreme Court decision facilitating enforcement of camping bans, Newsom ordered state agencies to accelerate the removal of encampments from public land and subsequently urged cities to adopt similar policies, using the expression 'take back the streets'.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

Newsom and California challenged in court the Trump administration's decision to federalise the National Guard and deploy Marines in Los Angeles during protests linked to immigration raids. In September 2025, a federal judge concluded that the use of troops for certain law enforcement functions had violated the Posse Comitatus Act.

Attribution

Political responsibility

A 2024 California audit found that the state had allocated approximately $24 billion to combating homelessness over five years while being unable to consistently evaluate the cost-effectiveness of several programmes. The finding fuelled criticism of the management of one of California's most visible problems under Newsom.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

A legislative definition of 'bakeries' in the law raising the fast-food minimum wage to $20 prompted allegations that it could benefit Greg Flynn, a major Newsom donor and large Panera franchisee. Their political closeness fuelled suspicions of a tailor-made carve-out.

Attribution

Directly implicated

During the pandemic, the California Employment Development Department paid billions of dollars in fraudulent benefits. The State Auditor concluded that major weaknesses in fraud prevention and months of inaction had led to approximately $10.4 billion in payments that the agency itself considered potentially fraudulent, alongside serious difficulties for legitimate claimants.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

A campaign to recall Newsom obtained enough signatures to trigger a special election, fuelled by criticism of COVID restrictions, the French Laundry incident and, more broadly, his immigration and crime policies. Voters ultimately chose to keep him in office by a large majority, approximately 64 % voting against recall.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

Newsom attended a dinner at the French Laundry restaurant with several families while his administration was urging Californians to severely limit private gatherings. The incident became a national symbol of double standards during the pandemic.

State of the evidence

Admitted by the person

Attribution

Personally implicated

Shortly after taking office as Governor, Newsom imposed a moratorium on executions by executive order, withdrew the lethal injection protocol and ordered the closure of San Quentin's execution chamber, effectively suspending the executions of 737 death-row prisoners.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

While Mayor of San Francisco, Gavin Newsom admitted having an affair with Ruby Rippey-Tourk, who worked in his administration and was married to his friend and campaign manager Alex Tourk. The revelation triggered a political and personal crisis, with Tourk having resigned earlier. In 2026, Rippey publicly described the relationship as consensual and lasting several months.

State of the evidence

Admitted by the person

Attribution

Personally implicated

A few days after the affair was revealed, Newsom announced that he would seek professional help for his alcohol consumption. The episode intensified questions about his personal judgement during his time as Mayor.

State of the evidence

Admitted by the person

Attribution

Personally implicated