Acting AG Todd Blanche says Newsom's DOJ claims are not 'grounded in fact'

By Fox News · Fox News

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Wednesday rejected California Gov. Gavin Newsom's claims that the Justice Department is politically targeting him, saying the governor's assertions are not "grounded in fact." Blanche responded to comments made by Newsom, who said last month that the Justice Department is investigating him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom , under orders from President Donald Trump. While Blanche declined to comment on any ongoing investigations, he dismissed the governor's claims. GAVIN NEWSOM CLAIMS TRUMP ORDERED DOJ PROBE TARGETING HIM AND HIS WIFE "The only thing I'll say about what he chose to do and what he chose to say is, I'm not sure his words are in any way grounded in fact," Blanche said during a news conference. "He'd have to address that," Blanche added. Newsom claimed June 15 that Trump had directed the Justice Department to investigate him and his wife in an effort to undermine a potential White House campaign. The California governor has described the investigation as a politically motivated "fishing expedition" by Trump's DOJ, saying he and his wife have "nothing to hide." Newsom has also argued the inquiry is aimed at him because he is considering a presidential run, saying, "To get me, he's coming after my wife." WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEWSOM-LINKED CHARITIES REPORTEDLY CAUGHT IN DOJ’S SIGHTS "Donald Trump isn’t just coming after me because of my mean Tweets. He’s coming after me because I am considering running for President," Newsom said. "Because he hates that I’ve consistently called him out – over and over again – for his lies and deceit. Donald Trump is simply the most corrupt President in American history." Blanche also rejected Newsom's broader characterization of the situation. "He can choose to say whatever he thinks helps him," Blanche said. "It doesn't make it true." NEWSOM UNDER FIRE AS CALIFORNIA GAS TAX HIKE SENDS PUMP PRICES EVEN HIGHER Sources previously told Fox News the investigation has been ongoing s…