Power Grab/Point the law at critics
The Justice Department opens a criminal probe of the Reid Hoffman group that helped pay E. Jean Carroll’s lawyers
— DOJ opens a criminal probe of the Hoffman group that paid E. Jean Carroll's lawyers.
Juries found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll. The Chicago U.S. attorney is now investigating the nonprofit that paid part of her legal costs, for possible money laundering and obstruction.
What happened
Juries found Trump liable in 2023 and 2024 for sexually abusing and defaming the writer E. Jean Carroll. In an October 2022 deposition, Carroll said no one else was paying her legal fees. Her lawyers later said a nonprofit had covered some expenses. In 2024 a federal appeals court found she had “plausibly” forgotten and was “not involved” in who funded the case.
On May 27 and 28, 2026, Reuters, CBS News, NBC News and the Washington Post reported that the U.S. attorney’s office in Chicago had opened a criminal investigation. Sources said its focus is American Future Republic, a nonprofit chaired by LinkedIn co-founder and Democratic donor Reid Hoffman, which gave $7 million to Carroll’s law firm in 2020, according to its tax filing. They said investigators were looking at possible money laundering, conspiracy and obstruction.
First reports said Carroll herself was being investigated for perjury. U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros then said his office “has not opened — and has never opened — a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll.” CBS’s sources said perjury was part of the original referral but is not being pursued for now.
Who benefited
Trump, who argued in court that Carroll lied about her funding and lost. The investigation reopens the same question through a criminal case.
Who wanted something
Whoever made the referral, which has not been made public. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche had been one of Trump’s lawyers on the Carroll appeals. The Justice Department said it does not comment on ongoing investigations.
Who lost out
Hoffman, a prominent Trump critic, who said the inquiry is designed to “silence” critics of the president. Carroll’s lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, declined to comment beyond the public record.
Why it matters
Paying for a lawsuit against the president is now treated as a possible crime. People thinking of funding the next suit against him, or of bringing one, can see what may follow.
Sources ReutersCBS NewsThe Washington PostThe Guardian