REVEALED: Gavin Newsom’s international travel under criminal federal investigation

The subpoenas were issued earlier in September and ordered that communications with Newsom, as well as others, be turned over to the feds as authorities are looking into records of the California State Protocol Foundation, which has paid for the governor's international travel. Aides to the governor, including Rebecca Prowda, who oversees his travel, have also been asked to turn over records and communications regarding the funds and travel.

"The records requested by this subpoena are for use in a criminal investigation pending in the Eastern District of California,” a subpoena signed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Anderson said. Those records will be presented to a grand jury to decide if there is sufficient evidence for an indictment.

Newsom has been considering running for president in 2028 and has suggested that the administration is coming after him for political gain and denied any wrongdoing.

“Governor Newsom went after the king — and as he warned in June, the tyrant is now coming after everyone around him. This is what Donald Trump does to his enemies: investigate first, hunt for a crime that doesn’t exist second,” the governor's office said. “It’s deeply upsetting to see innocent staff, friends, and family have their names dragged through the mud just because they’re associated with the Governor.”

Of concern in one of the subpoenas was correspondence with the California State Protocol Foundation, including donors and fundraisers for the organization. The foundation has helped to cover official travel expenses for governors for over 20 years and uses private donations instead of public funding.

The foundation said in a statement: “It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has proudly supported both Republican and Democratic administrations in fulfilling their duties representing all of California through public events and international engagements."

Since 2019, Newsom has directed over $7.5 million to go to the foundation from outside groups, according to the Standard.