The reported May 2026 launch of a Department of Justice criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll centers on potential perjury tied to statements and evidence in her two federal civil lawsuits against President Donald Trump, which resulted in jury findings of liability for sexual abuse and defamation plus roughly $88 million in damages. Subsequent payment of over $5.6 million to Carroll followed the exhaustion of appeals, including Supreme Court review. Any charging decision would involve standard federal prosecutorial review of investigative findings, witness credibility assessments, and evidentiary thresholds, with trader consensus reflecting procedural timelines typical for such matters. Key variables include further DOJ actions, possible congressional oversight, or developments in related civil proceedings that could influence timelines or outcomes before any indictment.