Coverage dated July 10, 2023 to July 11, 2023

DOJ Won't Defend Trump in Carroll Rape Defamation Case Anymore

Headline from NBC New York

The Department of Justice for years had tried to shield Donald Trump from being sued by writer E. Jean Carroll for defaming her over her sexual assault claim.

NBC New York's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Earlier updates in this story

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Reports & sources

25 articles, oldest first.

The Guardian
Trump not entitled to immunity in Carroll defamation lawsuit, DoJ says (opens The Guardian)
Published Jul 10, 2023
The Guardian's feed description
In reversal DoJ says presidency doesn’t shield Trump from writer’s lawsuit, paving way for possible trial in January
Axios
Trump shouldn't have immunity in E. Jean Carroll defamation suit, DOJ says (opens Axios)
Published Jul 10, 2023
Axios's feed description
E. Jean Carroll is suing Trump for making allegedly defamatory remarks about her while he was president.
NBC News
Justice Department reverses course on defending Trump in E. Jean Carroll case (opens NBC News)
Published Jul 10, 2023
NBC News's feed description
The DOJ backed off of its earlier position that Trump was acting within the scope of his presidential duties when he made “crude and disrespectful” comments about the writer.
The New Republic
Trump Just Lost a Huge Fight in the E. Jean Carroll Case: Immunity (opens The New Republic)
Published Jul 10, 2023
The New Republic's feed description
The Justice Department is refusing to back Donald Trump on this one.
NBC New York
DOJ Won't Defend Trump in Carroll Rape Defamation Case Anymore (opens NBC New York)
Published Jul 11, 2023
NBC New York's feed description
The Department of Justice for years had tried to shield Donald Trump from being sued by writer E. Jean Carroll for defaming her over her sexual assault claim.
CNN
DOJ no longer believes Trump should have immunity from E. Jean Carroll defamation lawsuit (opens CNN)
Published Jul 10, 2023
CNN's feed description
The Justice Department has reversed course and said it no longer believes that Donald Trump should be entitled to immunity for his response to E. Jean Carroll’s accusation of sexual assault, allowing the case to move forward to trial in January.
Forbes
DOJ Reverses Course: Rules Trump Wasn’t Acting As President When Discussing E. Jean Carroll, Isn’t Immune In Defamation Case (opens Forbes)
Published Jul 10, 2023
Forbes's feed description
The Department of Justice found that Trump was not acting in the official role of president when he made statements about E. Jean Carroll, removing the final barrier for a January trial.
Newsweek
DOJ reverses course in Trump defamation case (opens Newsweek)
Published Jul 10, 2023
Newsweek's feed description
The Justice Department determined that Trump is not entitled to immunity in E. Jean Carroll's second defamation suit against him.
PoliticusUSA
DOJ Dumps Trump In E. Jean Carroll Federal Defamation Suit (opens PoliticusUSA)
Published Jul 10, 2023
PoliticusUSA's feed description
The Department of Justice has officially filed with the court not to represent Donald Trump in E. Jean Carroll's federal defamation lawsuit.
NPR
DOJ won't shield Trump from claims he defamed writer E. Jean Carroll (opens NPR)
Published Jul 10, 2023
NPR's feed description
The move reverses course on one of the Justice Department's most controversial decisions during the early stretch of the Biden administration.
Insider
Trump loses immunity in E. Jean Carroll case as Justice Department now says his comments weren't part of presidential role (opens Insider)
Published Jul 10, 2023
Insider's feed description
The Justice Department now says Trump wasn't acting in a presidential capacity when he denied raping Carroll, paving the way for a second trial.
Fox News
Trump slams DOJ for not backing him in E Jean Carroll case, repeats claim he doesn't know her (opens Fox News)
Published Jul 11, 2023
Fox News's feed description
Former President Trump, in a TRUTH Social post, criticized the Justice Department for reversing course in the E. Jean Carroll civil case.
BizPac Review
DOJ changes course, no longer deems Donald Trump immune from E-Jean Carroll lawsuit (opens BizPac Review)
Published Jul 11, 2023
BizPac Review's feed description
DOJ announced a reversal on fmr Pres. Donald Trump's immunity regarding writer E. Jean Carroll's $10M defamation suit allowing it to proceed.
Washington Examiner
DOJ rejects Trump claim of presidential authority in Carroll defamation lawsuit (opens Washington Examiner)
Published Jul 11, 2023
Washington Examiner's feed description
The Department of Justice on Tuesday rejected former President Donald Trump's claims of presidential immunity when he denied E. Jean Carroll's rape allegations while in office.
Salon
Trump melts down on Truth Social after DOJ says it will no longer shield him in E. Jean Carroll case (opens Salon)
Published Jul 11, 2023
Salon's feed description
Trump's attacks on Carroll were "not sufficiently motivated by a purpose to serve the government," DOJ says.
NBC New York
Trump Blasts DOJ Over Decision to Withdraw From E. Jean Carroll Lawsuit Fight (opens NBC New York)
Published Jul 11, 2023
NBC New York's feed description
Donald Trump, who is running for president, faces a civil trial in 2024 over statements he made about E. Jean Carroll after she said he raped her.
Newsweek
Donald Trump to appeal E. Jean Carroll lawsuit: "Travesty of justice" (opens Newsweek)
Published Jul 11, 2023
Newsweek's feed description
The former president reacted on Truth Social after the DOJ ruled he can be found liable in the 2019 defamation lawsuit filed by E. Jean Carroll.
Al Jazeera
US Justice Dept switches course on Trump immunity in Carroll case (opens Al Jazeera)
Published Jul 11, 2023
Al Jazeera's feed description
The department previously said Trump enjoyed immunity for comments that writer E Jean Carroll called defamatory.
Newsweek
Donald Trump rages after DoJ refuses to come to his rescue (opens Newsweek)
Published Jul 11, 2023
Newsweek's feed description
The federal agency ruled on Tuesday that the former president is not immune from a defamation lawsuit filed in 2019 by E. Jean Carroll.
New York Post
DOJ declines to certify that Trump has absolute immunity in E. Jean Carroll defamation case (opens New York Post)
Published Jul 11, 2023
New York Post's feed description
The DOJ previously declared Trump was immune to legal action from Carroll since the allegedly defamatory statements initially raised in the lawsuit were made while he was in office.

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.