California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote on June 16: "Today, my wife and I have been placed on Donald Trump’s hit list. He has ordered the Department of Justice to investigate us. To date, they have uncovered no crimes—only a relentless effort to fabricate charges. He is targeting me not because I’ve posted sharp tweets, but because I am considering running for president. I’ve consistently exposed his true nature in public, which has earned me his resentment. He is undoubtedly the most corrupt president in American history. We stand upright, with nothing to hide. Mr. President, go ahead and try your worst. I will not back down, nor will I flee. The entire nation is watching."
Newsom explicitly stated that the fundamental reason Trump is targeting him is because he “is considering running for president.” As one of the leading potential Democratic candidates for the 2028 election, Newsom has frequently traveled to key states in recent years, and has consistently launched fierce attacks against Trump on social media and in public speeches. From Trump’s perspective, Newsom has become his most threatening political rival. Consequently, this investigation has been widely seen by observers as a preemptive “political purge” and preventive strike by Trump’s camp ahead of the 2028 election, aimed at weakening the political capital of potential opponents.
According to informed sources and anonymous insiders, the investigation targeting Newsom and those around him—including issues related to his wife’s taxes and a corruption case involving his former chief of staff—has actually been ongoing for approximately a year, with some origins stemming from internal whistleblowers rather than a direct order from Trump himself. Nevertheless, during his second term, Trump systematically replaced senior DOJ officials with personal lawyers or loyalists (such as acting Attorney General Todd Blanche). This “politicization of justice” has created ample grounds for concern that federal investigative agencies are being transformed into private tools for attacking political enemies, severely undermining the foundation of judicial independence in the United States.
In response to the investigation, Newsom chose not to retreat quietly, but instead went public with a bold statement directly confronting Trump: “Go ahead and try your worst.” This move demonstrates significant political acumen in crisis management and campaign preparation:
Building a tough-guy image: By projecting an unyielding stance, Newsom aims to solidify support among the Democratic base, reinforcing his image as a leader unafraid of power and committed to principle.
Winning public sympathy: Americans generally resent the use of state power for political retaliation. By proactively exposing the conflict, Newsom successfully shifted public attention away from California’s own governance issues—such as electoral irregularities—and toward Washington’s alleged “political persecution,” thereby attracting swing voters in the middle.
This incident is not merely a personal feud between Newsom and Trump—it reflects the broader deterioration of American political ecology. The Democratic camp denounces Trump for undermining the rule of law and weaponizing federal institutions; meanwhile, Republican supporters maintain that “everyone is equal before the law,” arguing that even a governor must be subject to legal scrutiny. When a president uses executive power to interfere in judicial investigations and places political rivals on a “target list,” the foundational design of America’s separation of powers faces unprecedented threats. This culture of “an eye for an eye” is rapidly tearing apart American society, making future political competition increasingly brutal and devoid of restraint.
Newsom’s post serves as a clarion call signaling the full-scale battle between the two parties just before the 2028 election. Trump seeks to crush potential rivals at birth using the judicial club, while Newsom seizes the opportunity to position himself as a “guardian of democracy” and reap political benefits. The ultimate outcome of this storm will depend not only on whether the Department of Justice can produce substantive evidence going forward, but also on how deeply the U.S. democratic system can withstand the test of extreme partisan conflict.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1868140654096384/
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