Newsom’s problems appear to be just beginning.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is facing expanding federal scrutiny as investigators seek years of records involving a privately funded nonprofit that has helped pay expenses associated with his international travel.
New subpoenas issued as part of a federal criminal investigation seek roughly six years of records connected to the California State Protocol Foundation, according to reporting by the San Francisco Standard.
Investigators are reportedly examining the foundation’s donors and fundraising, Newsom’s overseas travel and events, and expenditures potentially involving the governor’s living or personal expenses.
The widening inquiry is also reaching into Newsom’s inner circle, with federal authorities seeking communications involving current and former aides, advisers and associates.
No criminal charges against Newsom have been announced in connection with the travel investigation, and the existence of an investigation does not establish that a crime occurred.
Federal Investigators Examine Newsom’s Travel
The California State Protocol Foundation has helped cover expenses associated with official gubernatorial travel and events using privately donated money.
Now, federal investigators want a closer look at how that system operated.
According to subpoenas reviewed by the San Francisco Standard, authorities are seeking records concerning the foundation’s donors and fundraisers, international trips and events involving Newsom, and certain expenses connected to the governor.
The records are being sought for a criminal investigation pending in the Eastern District of California.
The investigation represents a significant new development for Newsom as he remains one of the Democratic Party’s most prominent national figures.
Newsom Aides Also Draw Federal Attention
Investigators are seeking communications involving several people close to the governor.
Among them is Becca Prowda, Newsom’s chief protocol officer, who has helped coordinate his international trips and diplomatic engagements.
Prowda is also married to San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie.
Communications involving members of the Protocol Foundation’s board have also reportedly attracted investigators’ attention.
Several people associated with the organization have longstanding professional or political relationships with Newsom, raising additional questions about how the governor’s office, the foundation and its private supporters have interacted.
Millions In Private Money Have Supported Foundation
Millions of dollars have been directed to the California State Protocol Foundation during Newsom’s time in office.
State records show that private donors have continued contributing to the organization. In 2026 alone, publicly disclosed contributions included $75,000 from autonomous-vehicle company Zoox and $100,000 from the Blue Shield of California Foundation.
Some contributors have interests that are affected by California laws, regulations or other government decisions.
That does not establish that the donations were improper. But the relationship between private donors and an organization helping finance activities associated with the governor could receive greater scrutiny as investigators review the foundation’s records.
The foundation has also received support from wealthy philanthropists and organizations associated with political causes.
Newsom Calls Investigation Political Retaliation
Newsom has strongly denied wrongdoing and argues that the federal scrutiny is politically motivated.
The Democratic governor has accused President Donald Trump and his administration of using federal law enforcement against political opponents.
Newsom, a frequent Trump critic who has discussed the possibility of running for president in 2028, has portrayed the investigation as retaliation for his public opposition to the administration.
His office has argued that investigators are searching for a crime rather than responding to evidence that Newsom committed one.
Newsom’s allegation of presidential retaliation remains disputed. Earlier reporting about separate federal investigations involving people in Newsom’s orbit indicated that those inquiries had been underway for approximately a year and originated with federal prosecutors in Sacramento based on information supplied by California whistleblowers.
Newsom’s International Trips Face New Scrutiny
Newsom has maintained a high-profile international schedule while serving as California governor.
His travel has included appearances in Davos, Switzerland, and Munich, Germany, as well as a trip to London connected to an environmental agreement.
He also traveled to China in 2023 as part of a weeklong delegation.
Records obtained through public-records requests reportedly show more than 30 briefings or meetings involving Prowda concerning Newsom’s travel schedule and engagements with foreign officials.
Prowda has assisted the governor during events and meetings involving international political leaders, making her role particularly relevant to investigators examining the governor’s overseas activities.
Longtime Newsom Allies Hold Foundation Roles
The Protocol Foundation also has connections to several longtime Newsom advisers.
Foundation chairman Steve Kawa previously served as Newsom’s chief of staff when Newsom was mayor of San Francisco. Newsom later appointed Kawa chairman of the California High-Speed Rail Authority.
Longtime Newsom adviser Jason Elliott has served on the Protocol Foundation’s board and was also appointed to the rail authority.
Jim DeBoo, another former Newsom chief of staff, has served as secretary of the foundation, according to IRS filings.
Those overlapping relationships could become increasingly important as federal investigators examine communications involving the organization.
Foundation Says Its Work Is Bipartisan
The California State Protocol Foundation has defended its work and says it has assisted governors from both political parties.
A spokesperson has said the nonprofit supported Republican and Democratic administrations in representing California through official events and international engagements.
The organization’s spending has extended beyond international travel.
Protocol Foundation money has reportedly helped finance other gubernatorial activities, including Newsom’s State of the State address at an empty Dodger Stadium during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The nonprofit also reportedly paid expenses associated with phones Newsom sent to prominent technology executives.
Financial filings have generated additional scrutiny of the organization. At the end of 2024, the foundation reported only $7,790 in net assets after spending substantially more than it received over the previous two years, according to IRS records cited in news reports.
Federal Probe Raises New Questions For Newsom
The latest subpoenas put another spotlight on the relationship between Newsom, his advisers, private donors and the nonprofit that has helped support official activities.
For federal investigators, the central task will be determining whether those financial arrangements complied with the law.
For Newsom, the investigation arrives as his national political profile continues to grow and speculation persists about a possible 2028 presidential campaign.
Newsom insists the investigation is politically motivated and denies wrongdoing.
Federal authorities, meanwhile, are seeking years of records concerning his travel, expenses and the people involved with the Protocol Foundation.
What those records ultimately reveal remains unknown.
But the widening investigation ensures that Newsom’s privately supported travel and the financial network surrounding it will remain under close federal scrutiny.