The Justice Department has launched a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll, the author who accused President Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her in the mid-1990s. The probe focuses on whether Carroll committed perjury during civil lawsuits against Trump by allegedly lying about receiving outside funding for her legal expenses.
Key Takeaways
The Justice Department has launched a criminal probe into E. Jean Carroll for potential perjury related to her civil lawsuits against Donald Trump. The investigation focuses on whether Carroll lied under oath about receiving outside funding from billionaire Reid Hoffman's non-profit organization.
- DOJ investigates E. Jean Carroll for alleged perjury in Trump defamation case
- Probe linked to financial support from Reid Hoffman’s non-profit
- Two juries found Trump liable for sexual assault and defamation, awarding Carroll millions
- Investigation part of broader pattern targeting political opponents
According to The Guardian, investigators are examining statements Carroll made in a 2022 deposition where she claimed she had not accepted external financial support. However, billionaire Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, was later revealed to have paid some of her legal fees and expenses through his non-profit organization, American Future Republic.
Carroll sued Trump in two civil lawsuits, accusing him of sexual assault and defamation. In 2023, a jury found Trump liable for both counts, awarding Carroll $5 million in damages. A second jury in 2024 awarded her an additional $83.3 million in damages for defamation related to comments Trump made about her in 2019.
The investigation is being led by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois, as reported by CBS News. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has recused himself from the case due to his previous role representing Trump in some of the litigation. The Justice Department and Carroll's legal representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment.
The probe is part of a broader pattern of the Trump administration launching criminal investigations into political opponents, according to Time. Federal prosecutors have also investigated former FBI chief James Comey, New York attorney general Letitia James, and Democratic members of Congress including Adam Schiff and Ilhan Omar. However, these investigations have not yet resulted in convictions.
The investigation has drawn criticism from political commentators. On The View, panelists expressed disbelief at the probe, questioning its necessity and the use of taxpayer funds. Alyssa Farah Griffin called it a wasteful endeavor that no voter supported, highlighting pressing issues like food insecurity and healthcare costs.
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