Trump designates Jeanine Pirro as the interim United States Attorney for the District of Columbia
Tough Talk: Trump Taps Fox's Jeanine Pirro as Interim DC Attorney
Donald Trump's making waves again! The ex-president has announced appointment of Jeanine Pirro, renowned Fox News host and ex-prosecutor, as the interim United States Attorney for Washington, DC. This move comes after the pushback he faced from Capitol Hill on his initial pick, Ed Martin.
Trump took to Truth Social to announce the news, touting Pirro as a "powerful crusader for victims of crime". He praised her legal career and TV fame, highlighting her decade-long stint hosting Fox News' Justice with Judge Jeanine and her current role as Co-Host of The Five, one of the Highest Rated Shows on Television.
Senator Thom Tillis, who had derailed Martin's nomination, was quick to praise Pirro. "Jeanine Pirro has had a long and storied career as a prosecutor and she is a great choice by @POTUS to serve as U.S. Attorney for DC!" Tillis tweeted.
Pirro, a steady ally of Trump and a fixture at Mar-a-Lago, didn't appear on Fox News' The Five Thursday following the announcement. ABC News was first to report that Trump has his eyes on Pirro for the DC role. CNN reached out to Pirro for a comment.
Fox News confirmed Pirro's departure from the network, effective immediately. Bret Baier announced the news to Fox viewers Thursday evening, wishing her well in her new role.
Jeanine Pirro has been no stranger to controversy. On her shows, she used her legal background to fiercely defend Trump and criticize his opponents. Some of her broadcasts were included in Dominion Voting Systems' defamation lawsuit against Fox News, which the network settled for over $787 million in 2023. Smartmatic, another voting company, also sued Fox News, listing Pirro as a defendant in a case still pending in New York state courts.
Pirro and Trump's relationship goes back decades, with one of her books dedicated to the former president. During Trump's first term, Pirro lobbied to secure a pardon for her ex-husband, who was convicted on conspiracy and tax evasion charges in 2000. She succeeded, making Trump’s final official act in office.
Trump hinted earlier that he'd soon announce a new person to replace Martin. He commended Martin's work in his new roles, which include directing the Weaponization Working Group, serving as associate deputy attorney general, and as pardon attorney. Martin’s nomination had been under fire for his defense of Capitol riot participants, his failure to disclose appearances on Russian state media, and his defense of a Capitol rioter who is an alleged Nazi sympathizer.
With Pirro as the interim attorney, the US Attorney's office in DC will now be overseen by a well-known figure in conservative media. The role is significant, handling cases from white-collar and national security investigations to local street-level violent crime. The appointment adds a layer of political intrigue to the position. Whether Pirro will be nominated for the position on a permanent basis remains unclear.
This story and headline have been updated with additional details.
Sources: 1, 2, 3
Enrichment:
- Jeanine Pirro: A former county prosecutor and judge in New York, Pirro served three terms as Westchester County's district attorney and was elected as judge in the Westchester County Court in 1990. She joined Fox News in 2006 and co-hosts the network's show 'The Five' on weekday evenings.
- Martin's Controversies: Martin faced opposition due to his defense of participants in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, his failure to disclose appearances on Russian state media, his previous praise of a Capitol rioter who is an alleged Nazi sympathizer, and his inability to recall his most controversial past statements in response to a series of questions under oath put to him by members of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
- Implications of Pirro's Appointment: The U.S. Attorney's office in D.C. handles significant cases, including white collar and national security investigations, as well as local street-level violent crime. The appointment of Pirro, a well-known figure in conservative media, adds a layer of political intrigue to the role. Whether Pirro will be nominated for the position on a permanent basis remains unclear.
- Jeanine Pirro, the renowned Fox News host and ex-prosecutor, will now oversee the US Attorney's office in DC as the interim United States Attorney, following Donald Trump's appointment after Ed Martin's pushback on Capitol Hill.
- Trump praised Pirro as a "powerful crusader for victims of crime", highlighting her longtime stint on Fox News and her role as Co-Host of The Five.
- The appointment of Pirro adds a layer of political intrigue to the position, as the US Attorney's office handles significant cases, including white collar and national security investigations, as well as local street-level violent crime.
- Some of Jeanine Pirro's broadcasts were included in Dominion Voting Systems' defamation lawsuit against Fox News, which settled for over $787 million in 2023.
- It is yet unclear if Pirro will be nominated for the position on a permanent basis following her interim service.
- In the general news realm, car accidents, fires, crime, and justice, as well as war-and-conflicts and policies-and-legislation, regularly intersect with pirro's career in both television and politics.
- Controversies surrounding Pirro's career, such as her defense of her ex-husband and her inclusion in defamation lawsuits, have contributed to her Notoriety in conservative media and the broader political landscape.
