DOJ launches criminal probe into E. Jean Carroll, sources say
The Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll, the former Elle magazine columnist who accused President Donald Trump of sexual assault, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.
The investigation is allegedly centered around whether Carroll committed perjury during her civil lawsuits against President Trump, after which she was awarded a $5 million judgment, the sources said.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche recused himself from the investigation, given his past representation of Trump in the matter, the sources said.
CNN first reported news of the investigation, which sources said is being led by the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Andrew Boutros.
The probe is just the latest among a series of investigations launched by the department into political foes of President Trump, a number of which have faced significant obstacles in the courts and grand juries.
A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment on the investigation to ABC News. Attorneys for Carroll also declined comment.
Trump was found liable in two civil lawsuits that resulted in judgments totaling nearly $90 million for sexually assaulting Carroll and defaming her when he denied her claims.
He was found liable in 2023 of sexually abusing Carroll in a department store dressing room in the 1990s and was also found liable in a separate but related defamation case involving Carroll.
Trump earlier this month asked a federal appeals court in New York to pause its ruling rejecting his challenge to her defamation lawsuit so he could pursue an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The request came after the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to rehear Trump's claim of immunity and his attempt to substitute the United States as a defendant in the case.
"THE REJECTED GIFT " - Full story
The mansion of the renowned millionaire was suffocating with tension. Seven-year-old Chloe stood trembling before her father, her eyes red and welling with tears. In her tiny hands, she held a simple gift wrapped in brown butcher paper, tied with a thin piece of twine. Sobbing, Chloe cried out for her dad, hoping he would accept the token she had painstakingly crafted all week.
But before her father could even reach for it, another hand violently snatched the package away. It was Elena—the sharp, cold stepmother. Without a moment's hesitation, Elena threw the little girl’s gift straight into the stainless steel trash can in the corner. The metallic clang of the lid slamming shut echoed cruelly through the lavish room.
Chloe screamed in sheer agony, a heartbroken wail filling the space. Disregarding the dirt, the little girl lunged forward, shoving her small arms deep into the trash bin to rescue her gift. As she tore away the crumpled brown paper, it revealed a naive crayon drawing: three figures holding hands beneath a rainbow.
The father rushed over, taking the drawing from his daughter's hands. Looking at the innocent, crumpled strokes, his eyes grew bloodshot with emotion and rage. When Elena stepped up, curling her lip in disgust, "It’s just a mess...", the father could no longer contain himself. He stood up abruptly, shielding his sobbing daughter behind his back, and roared directly into his wife's face with absolute fury: "OUR DAUGHTER DREW THIS FOR US!"
PART 2: “SHE’S ALIVE!”
“STOP—DON’T BURY HER!!!”
The sound hit like a shockwave.
The camera snapped violently—
A woman ran into frame, desperate, unstoppable, and threw herself onto the coffin as if her life depended on it.
“SHE’S ALIVE!”
Gasps erupted. People stepped back. The priest froze mid-prayer.
The father lunged forward instantly, rage overpowering his pain. He grabbed her hard, trying to rip her away.
“GET OUT OF HERE!”
But she clung to the coffin, her fingers digging into the wood, her whole body shaking.
“I saw her move… I swear…”
Her voice cracked, but something in it refused to break.
The wind sharpened under the open sky.
The brightness felt wrong now.
Too still.
Too quiet.
The father’s expression shifted—just slightly.
Doubt.
Then—
KNOCK.
A hollow, unmistakable sound.
From inside the coffin.
Everything stopped.
No movement. No breath.
“…what…?”
His voice came out broken, barely there.
Then again—
KNOCK… KNOCK…
Louder this time. Real.
Panic spread like fire. Someone dropped something. The crowd pulled back in fear.
The father climbed onto the coffin, hands shaking uncontrollably.
“OPEN IT! OPEN IT NOW!”
His voice cracked, desperate, terrified.
And then—
From inside—
A faint, muffled voice.
“…dad…”
The world collapsed into silence.
And for the first time…
the father realized the worst thing wasn’t losing her.
