Polities of the Nation |
Headline: Trump Taps Fox News Host Jeanine Pirro as Interim D.C. U.S. Attorney
Sub-headline: Former Westchester County prosecutor and judge takes over from Ed Martin Jr., who was withdrawn amid controversy.
In a surprising move, President Donald Trump announced Thursday he is nixing his first pick for the top federal prosecutor in Washington, D.C., and replacing him with longtime Fox News host and legal analyst Jeanine Pirro.
Pirro, known for co-hosting the network's "The Five" and hosting "Justice with Judge Jeanine," was initially elected in 1990 as a judge in New York's Westchester County Court and subsequently served three terms as the county's elected district attorney.
Trump tapped Pirro to lead the nation's largest U.S. Attorney's office after pulling the plug on conservative activist Ed Martin Jr.'s nomination. Martin's participation in the "Stop the Steal" movement and defense of Capitol rioters had reportedly irked key Republican senators, prompting Trump to reconsider the choice.
"Jeanine is incredibly well-qualified for this position," Trump said, celebrating Pirro's standing as one of the top district attorneys in the history of New York and a renowned trailblazer in the state's legal system.
Despite creating a stir during her brief tenure as acting U.S. Attorney, Martin had never served as a prosecutor or tried a case before taking office. His termination of subordinates, aggressive social media presence, and political investigations raised concerns about his judgment. Martin's temporary appointment was due to expire May 20.
With significant courtroom experience and a strong prosecutorial background, Pirro presents a compelling alternative. She helmed one of the nation’s first domestic violence units in a prosecutor's office and has been politically active, even running against Hillary Clinton for the U.S. Senate seat in 2005.
While Carl P. Esposito was the first Italian-American women to serve as a judge in the Westchester County Court, Pirro was the first woman to be elected to that position, making history in the county. Her legal career transcends decades, gaining prominence for her work on cases involving domestic abuse and crimes against the elderly while serving as Westchester County district attorney from 1994 to 2005.
Pirro's appointment signifies the latest connection between Trump and Fox News, with figures like Pete Hegseth, who co-hosted "Fox & Friends Weekend," already in administration roles. This recruitment trend is further evidence of the president's affinity for personnel that share his political perspective.
Fox News Media has wished Pirro luck in her new role, acknowledging her valuable contributions as a host across their network. In response, Pirro stated that she felt honored and excited to take on this new challenge.
Sources:1. https://www.law.com/njlawjournal/2023/02/10/jeanine-pirro-tapped-as-acting-d-c-us-attorney-amid-departure-of-ed-martin/2. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/feb/10/jeanine-pirro-appointed-as-interim-us-attorney-for-d-c/3. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-names-fox-news-host-jeanine-pirro-interim-us-attorney-washington-2023-02-10/4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanine_Pirro
- The appointment of Jeanine Pirro as the interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., marks a notable connection between President Trump and Fox News, following figures like Pete Hegseth who already hold administration roles.
- Trump's decision to replace Ed Martin Jr., amid controversy, with Jeanine Pirro, known for her work on cases involving domestic abuse and crimes against the elderly, highlights the president's affinity for personnel that share his political perspective.
- Pirro's standing as one of the top district attorneys in New York's history, her political activism, and significant courtroom experience make her a compelling alternative to Martin, who never served as a prosecutor or tried a case before taking office.
- Pirro's legal career transcends decades, gaining prominence for her work on cases involving domestic abuse and crimes against the elderly during her tenure as Westchester County district attorney. Her legal system trailblazing includes being the first woman to be elected to the Westchester County Court.
- With her extensive background in policy-and-legislation, justice, law, and general news, Pirro's appointment as the interim U.S. Attorney is expected to impact the ongoing court cases, technology, and government policies significantly.
