The office of California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a forceful social media statement Friday, pushing back against reporting that detailed political ties between FBI informant Alexis Podesta and the governor. The administration accused "MAGA bootlickers" of spreading misinformation and characterized the federal investigation as a "lawless fishing expedition" orchestrated by President Trump.
The governor's office insisted there is "no evidence" connecting Newsom to the federal corruption probe that involved his former chief of staff, Dana Williamson. Williamson's attorney stated that Podesta wore a wire as part of her cooperation with the FBI's public corruption investigation.
Reports indicated that Podesta, who served in state government under former Governor Jerry Brown and was retained by Newsom, was appointed to a cabinet-level position as secretary of the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency. She held that role until 2020, when she left to start a lobbying firm. Newsom's office also appointed her to the State Compensation Insurance Fund board in 2020, a position that paid $61,000 annually.
Newsom's team presented an eight-part "FACT" series on social media, asserting that the investigation had no connection to the governor. The governor's office stated that the reporting did not present evidence that Podesta was "in his orbit," comparing the claim to suggesting every appointee to a board or commission is an ally of the governor.
Federal investigators reportedly documented conversations between Podesta and Williamson that discussed official state business, including a lawsuit involving Activision Blizzard. The tone and use of taxpayer resources for the social media response have drawn scrutiny, with some suggesting it resembles campaign-style political messaging. Several members of Newsom's communications team also hold roles with his federal political action committee, Campaign for Democracy.