DOJ Appeals E. Jean Carroll’s Defamation Lawsuit Award
The Department of Justice, during Trump’s presidency, has decided to appeal to the Supreme Court regarding an $83.3 million defamation lawsuit won by author E. Jean Carroll.
Reportedly, the administration aims to “invoke legislation that would allow for federal government intervention when an employee disregards a lawsuit involving a work-related issue.” If this appeal goes through, Trump could avoid paying the damages entirely.
“If the court does not intervene, a sitting president could be held personally liable for about $100 million for actions taken while in office, which is significant enough to warrant the court’s attention,” stated the Justice Department in its submission to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court will take up this case after its summer recess.
In 2024, leading up to the presidential election, a jury found that E. Jean Carroll deserved $83 million in damages, arguing that Trump defamed her through his statements denying her allegations of sexual assault from the early 1990s at Bergdorf Goodman. Trump has consistently denied the charges, mentioning that he attempted to invoke presidential immunity but was unsuccessful.
A different jury had previously ruled against Carroll in another trial, which resulted in an order for Trump to pay $5 million in damages connected to defamation and sexual misconduct accusations. The 2nd Circuit Court had already denied Trump’s attempts to appeal this outcome.
In April, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals concluded that Trump filed his claims too late.
Judge Denny Chin remarked, “No other defendant would be permitted to represent the United States 15 months after the trial and sentencing,” emphasizing that the court rightly chose not to re-examine the case as a whole.
Last month, the Supreme Court dismissed Trump’s appeal related to the initial defamation suit against Carroll, which resulted in the $5 million damages awarded. These funds have since been transferred to Carroll’s legal team. The ongoing defamation suit revolves around statements made by Trump during his presidency.
According to reports, the DOJ seeks to apply the 1988 Westfall Act, a law intended to protect federal employees, which permits the DOJ to represent defendants in cases involving actions undertaken by public officials within their official roles.
