E. Jean Carroll, the writer who won two major civil cases against Donald Trump, is now reportedly under criminal investigation herself after the Department of Justice quietly opened a probe into whether she lied under oath during her legal battle with the president.
According to Reuters, federal prosecutors are examining statements Carroll made during a 2022 deposition connected to her lawsuits against Trump. Investigators are reportedly focused on testimony involving outside financial support tied to the cases and whether Carroll misrepresented that information under oath.
The Reported Focus Of The Investigation
Reuters reported that prosecutors are reviewing whether Carroll falsely testified that she did not receive outside funding connected to her legal fight against Trump. Later disclosures reportedly showed that some legal expenses were linked to a nonprofit tied to LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman.
As of now, Carroll has not been charged with a crime, and no indictment has been filed publicly. The DOJ has also not released an official public statement confirming details of the investigation.
Still, the reports immediately sparked intense reactions online because Carroll’s lawsuits against Trump became some of the most high-profile legal battles tied to the president in recent years.
How We Got Here
Carroll first sued Trump for defamation after he denied her allegations that he sexually assaulted her in the 1990s. In 2023, a federal jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, awarding Carroll $5 million in damages.
Then in 2024, a second jury ordered Trump to pay Carroll $83.3 million after determining that he continued defaming her publicly while denying the allegations.
Trump has repeatedly denied Carroll’s claims and continues to challenge the verdicts through the appeals process.
Why The DOJ Probe Is Raising Eyebrows
The investigation is already fueling political debate because of the timing and the people connected to the case. Reuters also reported that Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche recused himself from the matter because he previously represented Trump in legal matters involving Carroll.
According to reports, the investigation is currently being handled through the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago.
Critics of the investigation argue the move could appear politically motivated given Carroll’s role in the lawsuits against Trump. Others argue that allegations of perjury deserve scrutiny regardless of political affiliation.
For now, one thing remains clear: the woman whose lawsuits placed Trump under intense legal pressure is now facing federal scrutiny herself, adding another twist to a legal saga that continues to dominate headlines.
