Trump Appoints Fox News Host Jeanine Pirro as Interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C.

 

Trump Appoints Fox News Host Jeanine Pirro as Interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C.

After the previous candidate's candidacy failed, a controversial choice was made.

U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed longtime ally and Fox News personality Jeanine Pirro as the acting U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C.. This highly significant federal position manages politically delicate prosecutions in the nation's capital.

The announcement followed the resignation of Trump's previous choice, Ed Martin, due to his inability to secure sufficient Senate support, especially from influential Republicans.

Pirro’s Appointment Draws Attention for Her Media Role and Election Claims

The 73-year-old Pirro, a former judge and prosecutor in New York, gained national attention for her scathing remarks on Fox News. She did, however, also become well-known for making untrue predictions regarding the 2020 presidential election, which later formed the basis of Dominion Voting Systems' well-known defamation lawsuit against Fox News. The network paid a record $787 million to resolve that dispute.

Despite the controversy, Trump praised Pirro on Truth Social, calling her "a powerful fighter for victims of crime" and noting her background in broadcast and judicial service. He failed to say how long she would hold the interim post or whether she would be considered for a permanent position, which would require Senate confirmation.

Pirro’s Background: Prosecutor, Judge, and Media Firebrand

Pirro was a Conservative judge and district attorney in Westchester County, New York, before her work on television. Trump complimented her successes on television and her significant legal knowledge, calling her Fox News program "one of the highest-rated television shows."

For years, Pirro has remained one of Trump's closest trusted individuals. Near the end of his first term, Trump made an important decision by releasing Pirro's ex-husband, who was previously found convicted of tax evasion.

Ed Martin Replaced After Senate Opposition

Ed Martin, a former conservative pundit who has served in the position temporarily since January, is being replaced by Pirro. Due to differences over the January 6 Capitol incident, prominent Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina threatened to filibuster Martin's confirmation, putting his nomination in danger.

Tillis told reporters, "I have no tolerance for anybody who entered the building on January 6," emphasizing the conflict over Martin's opinions.

Martin faced criticism for dismissing prosecutors who were involved in the Capitol riot investigations during his brief term. However, Trump declared that Martin will continue to serve at the Department of Justice as the leader of a new "weaponization working group"—a division dedicated to looking into officials who have looked into Trump's activities.

Trump Continues to Defend January 6 Rioters

Trump has pardoned and abandoned federal prosecutions against a number of those involved in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol since taking office again, calling them political victims of what he claims is a corrupt legal system. His choice to locate Pirro in Washington, D.C., where a large number of these cases are heard, is another indication of his intention to change the way federal justice is conducted in contentious situations.