The US Justice Department has started a criminal investigation into writer and former magazine columnist E. Jean Carroll, who earlier accused President Donald Trump of s**ual assault. According to reports, investigators are checking whether Carroll gave false statements under oath during legal proceedings connected to her lawsuits against Trump.
The case has once again brought national attention to the long-running legal fight between Trump and Carroll, which has already led to major court rulings and large financial penalties against the former president.
Why the Justice Department Is Investigating E. Jean Carroll
The investigation mainly focuses on statements Carroll made during a 2022 deposition. At that time, Carroll reportedly said that she had not received outside financial support for her lawsuits against Trump.
Later, it became public that billionaire entrepreneur Reid Hoffman had helped pay some of the legal expenses connected to the case through a nonprofit organisation.
Federal prosecutors are now trying to determine whether Carroll’s earlier testimony was misleading or amounted to perjury, which means lying under oath.
Carroll’s legal team has not publicly commented on the matter so far.
Background of the Trump and E. Jean Carroll Case
The legal battle between Donald Trump and E. Jean Carroll started after Carroll accused Trump of s**ually assaulting her in a New York department store during the mid-1990s.
Trump denied the allegations several times. He also claimed Carroll made up the story to promote her book and said she was “not his type.”
Because of those comments, Carroll filed a defamation lawsuit against Trump in 2019. She later filed another lawsuit connected to the alleged assault.
Over time, juries ruled in Carroll’s favour and awarded her millions of dollars in damages.
Here’s a quick overview of the major lawsuits:
| Case | Main Allegation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| S**ual Abuse Lawsuit | Assault in a department store | Carroll awarded $5 million |
| Defamation Lawsuit | Trump’s public statements against Carroll | Carroll awarded $83 million |
Trump is currently appealing both judgments.
What Triggered the Current Investigation
The issue reportedly began during pre-trial questioning in 2022. Trump attorney Alina Habba asked Carroll whether anyone else was funding her legal battle.
Carroll reportedly answered that nobody else was paying.
However, just before the trial started, Carroll’s lawyers informed the court that funding support had come from a nonprofit linked to Reid Hoffman.
Trump’s legal team argued that important information had been hidden for months.
Because of the controversy, the judge allowed Trump’s lawyers to question Carroll again in another deposition, though that testimony has not been released publicly.
Role of the Justice Department
The investigation is reportedly being handled by federal prosecutors in Chicago after senior Justice Department officials referred the matter there.
One reason for choosing Chicago is that the nonprofit linked to Hoffman is reportedly based there.
Interestingly, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is said to be recused from the case because he previously worked as one of Trump’s personal attorneys during Carroll-related appeals.
According to reports, Blanche has not participated in meetings or discussions related to the investigation.
Political Debate Around the Investigation
The investigation has also triggered political debate in the United States.
Critics argue that the Justice Department under Trump’s administration is increasingly targeting people seen as Trump’s political or personal opponents.
Supporters of Trump, however, believe the investigation is necessary if false statements were made in court.
Legal experts say proving criminal perjury cases can be difficult because prosecutors must clearly show that a person knowingly made false statements under oath.
Trump’s Appeals Continue
Trump is still fighting the earlier court decisions.
The president has appealed the $5 million s**ual abuse judgment to the US Supreme Court and is expected to challenge the $83 million defamation ruling there as well.
The Supreme Court has delayed making a decision on whether it will hear Trump’s appeal multiple times, including another postponement this week.
In a separate legal effort, Trump also tried to involve the Justice Department in one of the cases so he could claim presidential immunity. However, an appeals court rejected that argument, saying it came too late.
What Could Happen Next
At this stage, no criminal charges have been announced against E. Jean Carroll.
Investigators are still reviewing evidence and testimony connected to the funding issue. If prosecutors believe false statements were intentionally made, they could potentially pursue perjury charges.
At the same time, Trump’s appeals in the earlier civil cases are still active, meaning the legal fight between the two sides is far from over.
The situation remains highly sensitive because it involves both political and legal issues connected to a sitting US president and one of the country’s most talked-about court battles.
The outcome of the investigation could influence not only Carroll’s ongoing legal disputes but also public discussions around political influence, accountability, and the independence of the American justice system.
