DOJ Opens Criminal Probe into E. Jean Carroll for Alleged Perjury in Trump Civil Suits

The Justice Department under Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche launched a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll on May 28, 2026, focusing on whether Carroll committed perjury during testimony in her civil lawsuits against Trump. Juries awarded Carroll approximately $88 million in damages across two civil trials; Trump is appealing both verdicts. The probe represents an escalation of the administration's use of the DOJ to scrutinize Trump legal adversaries — following the pardoning of Jan. 6 defendants, the firing of federal prosecutors who pursued cases against Trump associates, and the reversal of investigations into Trump allies. Carroll's legal team called the investigation 'politically motivated harassment designed to punish and silence Trump's accusers.' Critics across the legal community warned the probe sets a dangerous precedent of weaponizing criminal justice against civil litigants who prevailed in court. The investigation is one of the most prominent DOJ actions targeting a Trump accuser since his return to office.