The United States is witnessing a new escalation in political and legal tensions as the Department of Justice under Donald Trump reportedly opens a criminal investigation into journalist E. Jean Carroll, who previously accused the president of sexual assault and won major civil judgments against him. According to multiple US media reports, federal authorities are examining whether Carroll committed perjury during her civil lawsuits against Trump, marking a dramatic new turn in one of the most high-profile legal battles involving the president.
Carroll, now 82, first accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in the mid-1990s inside a Manhattan department store fitting room. She later brought defamation claims after Trump publicly denied the allegations, calling her “mentally ill” and claiming she fabricated the story for personal gain and book sales. In 2023, a federal jury found Trump liable for defamation and awarded Carroll five million dollars in damages. A later ruling significantly increased the total compensation, with Trump ordered to pay more than 83 million dollars for reputational harm.
Trump strongly rejected the verdicts, describing them as politically motivated and part of what he called a “witch hunt,” while vowing to appeal the decisions. He also sought intervention from the US Supreme Court to suspend the financial judgment. Now, with the Justice Department under his administration reportedly pursuing a case against Carroll, the legal conflict has entered a new and highly contentious phase.
Media reports indicate that federal prosecutors are examining whether Carroll gave false testimony in her civil cases. The investigation is reportedly being overseen by US Attorney Andrew S. Boutros, who was appointed during Trump’s administration. At the same time, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has recused himself from the matter due to his prior role as Trump’s legal representative in the Carroll litigation, highlighting the complex overlap between the administration and the legal proceedings.
The move has intensified accusations from critics that the Trump administration is using federal power to pursue political and personal retaliation against perceived enemies. During his campaign and presidency, Trump repeatedly stated that he intended to take action against those involved in investigations and prosecutions targeting him, framing his legal troubles as politically driven attacks.
This latest investigation comes amid a broader pattern of legal scrutiny directed at figures who have clashed with the president. Former national security adviser John Bolton has faced charges related to classified documents, former FBI director James Comey has been indicted for alleged obstruction and false statements to Congress, and New York Attorney General Letitia James has also been charged in a separate fraud-related case. All three have previously been involved in high-profile disputes or investigations concerning Trump or his business interests.
Supporters of the president argue that these cases reflect long-overdue accountability for misconduct by public officials, while opponents warn that the expanding list of prosecutions signals an erosion of judicial independence and the politicization of federal law enforcement.
As the investigation into E. Jean Carroll unfolds, the case has become a focal point in a broader debate over the boundaries between justice and political retaliation in the United States, with implications that extend far beyond the individuals directly involved.
