Justice Department Declines to Intervene on Behalf of Trump in E. Jean Carroll Defamation Case

The Justice Department announced today that the United States government will no longer be named as the defendants in a lawsuit filed against Donald Trump by a writer who claims the ex-president sexually assaulted her several decades ago.

After three years, the Justice Department has finally admitted that Trump was not acting within his presidential duties when he denied sexually assaulting E. Jean Carroll. This decision removes Trump’s immunity as a federal employee and makes him liable for the lawsuit.

According to a court filing, two things have changed since the Justice Department first intervened in the case. Firstly, the law surrounding what qualifies as public work has been clarified, and it has been determined that Trump’s statements denying the assault do not qualify as official responses to the press. Secondly, a New York State Court jury found Trump guilty of sexual abuse and defamation against Carroll. This overturns the previous determination that Trump’s statements were protected by his role as president.

In a court filing, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton wrote that Trump’s statements were motivated by personal grievance rather than a desire to serve the United States Government. Carroll initially made her allegation public in 2019, and Trump responded by calling her a liar and stating that she was not his type. Carroll sued for defamation and was awarded $5 million in damages. The federal trial is scheduled to begin in January.

Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, expressed gratitude for the Department of Justice’s reconsideration and looks forward to the trial. Trump’s attorney did not provide a comment at this time.