Trump Justice Department Opens Criminal Investigation into E. Jean Carroll for Alleged Perjury

The Trump Justice Department launched a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll, the 82-year-old writer who won two civil lawsuits against Trump for sexual abuse and defamation totaling $88.3 million. The probe, led by federal prosecutors in Chicago, is examining whether Carroll committed perjury in her 2022 deposition testimony during the civil litigation, specifically regarding statements about her motivations for coming forward and the timeline of events. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche recused himself due to his prior representation of Trump as his personal attorney. The investigation represents an unprecedented use of federal prosecutorial power against a sexual assault accuser who successfully sued a sitting president. Legal experts and civil liberties organizations expressed alarm about potential retaliation and weaponization of the Justice Department against Trump's legal adversaries.

"The Department of Justice has a duty to investigate credible allegations of perjury regardless of the identity of the witness or the nature of the underlying litigation." — Statement from Justice Department spokesperson regarding the investigation into E. Jean Carroll, as reported by multiple news outlets