The U.S. Department of Justice has reportedly launched a criminal investigation into E Jean Carroll, a former New York magazine writer who accused President Donald Trump of sexual assault. This inquiry is focused on whether Carroll, now 82, committed perjury during her civil lawsuits against Trump, where she alleged sexual abuse and defamation. The investigation was initiated by Andrew S Boutros, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, who was appointed by Trump. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has recused himself from the probe due to his previous role as Trump's legal representative in the Carroll case. In May 2023, a federal jury in New York found Trump liable for sexually assaulting Carroll in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room during the mid-1990s, awarding her $5 million for defamation and assault claims. Trump has since appealed the ruling, seeking to have it overturned by the Supreme Court. This developing story will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.