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Welcome to The Logoff: President Donald Trump’s Justice Division is investigating a lady who accused him of sexual abuse.
What’s taking place? On Wednesday night, we realized that E. Jean Carroll — a author and recommendation columnist who alleged in a 2019 essay and two subsequent, profitable civil lawsuits that Trump assaulted her a long time in the past — is now beneath federal felony investigation in Illinois.
The investigation has but to supply an indictment — and will not — however its mere existence is one other indication of the extent to which Trump has weaponized the justice system to punish his enemies.
What’s the DOJ investigating? The investigation, which CNN first reported, reportedly facilities on a perjury allegation towards Carroll over an announcement she made in 2022.
On the time, Carroll mentioned — incorrectly — that she had not acquired exterior funding supporting her civil lawsuits towards Trump. As my colleague Zack Beauchamp explains, nevertheless, a federal appeals court docket already concluded in 2024 that there was no proof the misstatement was intentional, and Carroll could have merely forgotten.
As one authorized knowledgeable advised Zack on Thursday, even when Carroll is indicted, “A conviction is simply not going to occur.”
Why Carroll? Carroll is just not alone in accusing Trump of sexual misconduct or assault; at the very least 27 girls have carried out so so far. Her allegation, nevertheless, has been each pricey and embarrassing for Trump: He was discovered liable in 2023 for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll, who additionally gained greater than $88 million from him in two civil judgments. (The cash has not but been paid, as Trump continues to attraction.)
He’s nearly definitely going to maintain at it — however at the very least thus far, he retains failing, too.
And with that, it’s time to log out…
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