Todd Blanche avoids answering about a possible investigation against Gavin Newsom
The acting attorney general was questioned on Capitol Hill about an alleged DOJ investigation and chose to remain silent on camera
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche avoided answering questions about a possible Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation related to California Governor Gavin Newsom during his visit to the Capitol. The moment was recorded on video by CNN and occurred while Blanche was quickly heading towards one of the elevators in the building, where he was holding meetings with senators seeking his permanent confirmation as head of the Department of Justice. “Did the president tell you to investigate Gavin Newsom?” and “Can you confirm that this does not involve investigating Gavin?” asked the journalist; However, Blanche did not respond to any of the questions and continued on her way without commenting.
Doubts grow about an alleged investigation
The questions arise after Gavin Newsom publicly denounced that he and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, would be the subject of a federal investigation. According to information published by The New York Times, the federal prosecutor's office for the Eastern District of California is investigating people linked to the governor for possible tax crimes. A source familiar with the case assured that Jennifer Siebel Newsom is among the people under review, although he noted that the governor himself would not be currently being investigated. According to Newsom's office, investigators have requested financial information related to the president, his wife and organizations linked to both.
Newsom accuses political motivations
The Democratic governor reacted harshly to the reports and accused President Donald Trump of using the Justice Department for political purposes.
“If he can't intimidate me, he will go after the mother of our children,” Newsom said in a video posted on social media.
The governor also assured that he has nothing to hide and asked that his family be left out of any political dispute.
So far, the Department of Justice has not publicly confirmed whether there is an investigation against Gavin Newsom, while Todd Blanche's silence leaves more questions than answers about the real scope of the investigations.