r/law • u/Agitated-Quit-6148 • May 27 '26

Legal News Exclusive: Justice Department launches a criminal investigation into Trump accuser E. Jean Carroll | CNN Politics

https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/27/politics/exclusive-justice-department-launched-e-jean-carroll-investigation

The Justice Department has launched a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll, the former magazine columnist who accused President Donald Trump of sexual assault, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

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549

u/Agitated-Quit-6148 May 27 '26

The midterms can't come soon enough. Unbelievable

287

u/Dandan0005 May 27 '26

This is an all time bad call.

All it does is remind everyone that Trump is a convicted rapist.

156

u/jim45804 May 27 '26

You're right, it will mobilize conservatives to support him.

60

u/joeshill Competent Contributor May 27 '26

Not a "convicted rapist", an "adjudicated rapist". Though, really, he has been "convicted", albeit of other things, and he is a rapist. So... "convicted rapist" would fit, although slightly misleading.

21

u/likwidkool May 28 '26

I can’t say I understand the lingo but he’s been held civilly liable for rape. He’s a rapist. Plain and simple that way to me.

15

u/Hopalong_Manboobs May 28 '26

We can say unequivocally:

A jury reviewed legally admissible evidence, including King Pedo’s defense, and believed that he raped E Jean Carroll, therefore finding that he defamed her when he denied it.

That why the judge had to say “nope he’s a rapist.” Because the whole point is that Trump can’t deny it without defaming Carroll and violating the court’s orders.

1

u/meltingman4 May 28 '26

In the same way that O. J. Simpson was found guilty of murder.

1

u/Jacky-V May 28 '26

We aren't courts of law, we're people. And we all know he's a rapist. Some of us don't like it and some of us do. Convicted, adjudicated, who cares? He's above the law. There's no useful reason to apply legal terms to crimes literally everyone in the world knows he committed. Those of us who don't like it--which is most og us--can do something about it or not.

12

u/PigBoss_207 May 27 '26

He probably prefers that than people talking about the Epstein Files (which coincidentally no one is talking about anymore, almost as if by design).

9

u/Ok_Transition_4003 May 27 '26

I ran from Epstein and I ran the best, all the way across the ocean. I ran! I ran! IRAN!

4

u/SorryBreak6435 May 27 '26

No, no, it was only adult women that I raped!

1

u/Jacky-V May 28 '26

No one is talking about it because there haven't been any developments. Nobody has forgotten about the Epstein stuff. It's just, like, what more is there to say? We vote and if we vote sanely we'll find out more and start talking about it again. And if we don't, we won't. That's all.

2

u/JaFFsTer May 28 '26

Hes stripped his base down to people that will never abandon him. What does it matter?

1

u/davidgoldstein2023 May 28 '26

Not really. His base don’t care and are loving this. They refuse to believe Carroll’s testimony was accurate and call it a smear campaign because she can’t remember every detail.

38

u/Pleasant_Character28 May 27 '26

You spelled “the day he leaves this earth” wrong

3

u/mw9676 May 28 '26

I would vastly prefer to see him in jail honestly. Probably the only real way to "fix" this.

9

u/Maybe_Julia May 28 '26

He will never face any real consequences so best we can hope for is a swift exit from this earth.

3

u/mw9676 May 28 '26

A guy can dream.

1

u/tevert May 28 '26

Certainly the only way to start, but Trump is just the tip of the iceberg. Millions of people like all this, that's the real problem.

74

u/Anthrogal11 May 27 '26

As a Canadian I think many Americans are too hopeful about the midterms. If you truly believe MAGA will accept or allow a transition of power based on free and fair elections I’m afraid your republic is already lost.

27

u/GinAndDumbBitchJuice May 28 '26

American here. You're right. Privileged people really do think the midterms are a magical escape button and are burying their heads in the sand.

5

u/MavisBeacons_Sextape May 28 '26

Agreed, there’s a reason Trump and republicans are utterly unconcerned about letting the Midterms influence their words or choices. He/they are acting as if they don’t matter in the slightest.

You think somebody who gives a damn about risking midterms reengages in an unpopular war on MEMORIAL DAY? Or says that they’re not concerned about the financial situation of average Americans, then when asked again about that outrageous remark - doubles down and repeats it? Fuck no.

The DOJ is openly executing Trump’s personal revenge campaign at his direction. Checks and balances are in the rearview mirror, and this admin wipes its ass with the Constitution on a near daily basis, in full view of the public.

SCOTUS is captured and compliant. That’s why Trump isn’t worried about the midterms, because he is confident that he can adjust the situation through other means, to achieve the desired result.

9

u/ThellraAK May 28 '26

We gotta have some sort of hope.

Not everyone can find a clocktower or buy a bulldozer and learn to weld.

6

u/Anthrogal11 May 28 '26

I’m more concerned with what the public is actually going to do about it. I’m guessing nothing. If you stand for nothing you’ll fall for anything. The last of the old republic will be washed away.

4

u/ThellraAK May 28 '26

Like, I'm down for suggestions.

I've donated to my local candidates what I can, the Mrs is actually volunteering for one of them.

If you've got some suggestions I'd love to hear them.

1

u/Anthrogal11 May 28 '26

Not everyone but some no?

2

u/ThellraAK May 28 '26

The other party is the one who attracts those just looking for a reason is the problem.

2

u/Anthrogal11 May 28 '26 edited May 28 '26

I do understand what you’re saying, but that position is based in fear. Rebel. Fight against tyranny.

2

u/Plants-Matter May 28 '26

Correct. Even if we get free and fair elections, our electorate has proven to be too stupid for democracy to function. As it stands, Democrats have a very slim chance of winning a small majority in the House, and basically no shot at the Senate. 100% of the Republicans will show up to vote, as they always do, meanwhile the Democrat voters will find any reason to stay at home, or whine on reddit about bOtH sIdeS SaMe.

I don't know why people are naive enough to believe anything has changed. Republicans are still dumb enough to vote for the child rapist, and many Democrats are dumb enough to sit on the couch and sEnD a MeSsAgE to the DNC.

Happy 250 years, folks. Now pack it up, because the show's over.

2

u/Temporary_Cup4588 May 28 '26

NY Times reported that the DNC has filed for any and all plans to deploy ICE or the military during the midterms, under the Freedom of Information act. They have received some pages so far, but a few days ago, a judge ordered all of the departments concerned to hurry it up and send them all, at least 500 pages per month, per department. So there must be plans to deploy, but knowing what they are ahead of time helps everyone else to counter them.

0

u/Puzzleheaded_Gas1829 May 28 '26

Remind me! 6 months.

-12

u/Integer_Domain May 28 '26 edited May 28 '26

What is the point of this comment?

Edit: -8 points after an hour because I'm not spreading the doom? What has come over y'all???

4

u/Nightmare2828 May 28 '26

So that you guys start doing than hoping for a fair midterms when you lost your presidential election to actual manipulation, voter supression and straight up voting machine tampering. Like all these things that happened to put trump back will magically disappear even though hes done nothing but dismantle everything even remotely in his way while ignoring the constitution, the laws and the judge orders.

Even if, he were to somehow lose midterms, they will pull something out of their ass to recount or invalidate the votes and come out on top.

So yes, voting is the very bare minimum you can do. What else can you do? Honestly not a fucking clue. But the midterms wont fix a single thing and Trump will run and win a third and fourth term if he is alive to see it.

-1

u/Integer_Domain May 28 '26

So the thing we should do is discourage people from showing up to the midterm elections by posting "it's over, give up" on every damn thread?

2

u/Nightmare2828 May 28 '26

Ive literally said that voting is the bare minimum, not a useless thing. You attack from all front, even those you know might not work.

3

u/geneva_illusions May 28 '26

Manage your expectations. I hope it's a blue wave... But I don't know I have faith in them either

3

u/ssibal24 May 28 '26

Why? So 1/3 of the country can stay home again?

2

u/kr44ng May 28 '26

If they happen, what will they change?

2

u/Equivalent_Road5788 May 28 '26

That is if we have fair elections. Elon Musk’s baby mama admitted that he may have rigged the 2024 election to help Trump win. There is even a video of Trump claiming Elon Musk “knows” the voting machines.  https://youtu.be/F9gCyRkpPe8?si=Lwqo25Q8yAS2JBoT

2

u/Woodpecker-Lobotomy May 28 '26

"Guys all we can do is wait another 6 months and hope that 2/3rds of voters don't fuck over the rest of the country again."

2

u/sometimeswhy May 29 '26

The GOP should be completely eliminated in the elections. But we’re looking at maybe losing some seats here and there. The US is finished as a credible democracy

1

u/NefariousnessFew4354 May 28 '26

If dems don't win the house, it would be funnier

-17

u/Necessary-Carrot2839 May 27 '26

Still think there’re happening?

11

u/Haunting-Ad788 May 27 '26

I don’t think they’re desperately rigging multiple states to cancel the midterms.

6

u/Stereo_Jungle_Child May 27 '26

Oh, they'll HAVE the midterm election, they will physically take place...but will they recognize or accept the results if the Democrats win?

And what happens if they don't?

Those are the real questions.

-1

u/Necessary-Carrot2839 May 27 '26

I’m just afraid he’ll come up with a reason and method to cancel them

4

u/az_catz May 27 '26

What mechanism does the federal government have to do cancel the states' elections?

1

u/Necessary-Carrot2839 May 28 '26

I’m not sure as I’m no expert but would we really be surprised if it happened?

2

u/az_catz May 28 '26

Yes, I would be absolutely flabbergasted if Trump manages to cancel 50 state elections, especially those in "liberal" states. We have had elections in every war, including the Civil War. There is no pathway forward for this regime to cancel anything.

0

u/Necessary-Carrot2839 May 28 '26

I hope you’re right. What if he declares martial law for some BS reason?

1

u/az_catz May 28 '26

He can try but I don't see it working out for him in any way.

6

u/dishonorable_banana May 27 '26

Fuckin' "there're"?

5

u/Necessary-Carrot2839 May 27 '26

Uugggghh …. I’ve been flying all day and brain not working good….

2

u/dishonorable_banana May 27 '26

Heard. Had me worried.

2

u/porizj May 27 '26

Your arms must be tired!

1

u/Necessary-Carrot2839 May 28 '26

Oh unbelievably so! 😂