Donald Trump Taps Fox News’ Jeanine Pirro As D.C.’s Interim U.S. Attorney
Donald Trump has tapped Fox News host Jeanine Pirro to serve as interim U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C.
Pirro is the latest Fox News figure to get a spot in the administration, following figures like Pete Hegseth and Sean Duffy.
Pirro is a co-host of The Five, the most watched show on cable news. She hosted the network’s weekend show Justice with Judge Jeanine from 2011 to 2022.
On Fox News’ Special Report, anchor Bret Baier said that Pirro will be leaving Fox News to take the position. “Obviously we wish her well,” he said.
Trump wrote on Truth Social, “I am pleased to announce that Judge Jeanine Pirro will be appointed interim United States Attorney for the District of Columbia. Jeanine was Assistant District Attorney for Westchester County, New York, and then went on to serve as County Judge, and District Attorney, where she was the first woman ever to be elected to those positions. During her time in office, Jeanine was a powerful crusader for victims of crime. Her establishment of the Domestic Violence Bureau in her Prosecutor’s Office was the first in the Nation. She excelled in all ways. In addition to her Legal career, Jeanine previously hosted her own Fox News Show, Justice with Judge Jeanine, for ten years, and is currently Co-Host of The Five, one of the Highest Rated Shows on Television. Jeanine is incredibly well qualified for this position, and is considered one of the Top District Attorneys in the History of the State of New York. She is in a class by herself.”
Pirro has been one of Trump’s steadfast defenders, on her own show and on The Five. Like the president, she redefined her career on reality TV, hosting the CW show Judge Jeanine Pirro from 2008 to 2011, as Trump was on The Apprentice and Celebrity Apprentice. She was among the Fox News personalities whose amplification of unfounded claims about the 2020 presidential election were part of Dominion Voting Systems’ lawsuit against the network. The lawsuit was settled for $787.5 million.
Trump’s appointment of Pirro came hours after he indicated that he was withdrawing the nomination of Ed Martin to take the position as U.S. attorney permanently. Martin, who has been interim U.S. attorney, faced a doubtful confirmation after a key Republican, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), said that he would vote against the pick.
CNN reported last week that Martin had appeared on a podcast hosted by a white nationalist, and Democrats had seized on his praise of Janaury 6th defendant Timothy Hale-Cusanelli, who prosecutors described as a Nazi sympathizer with a history of anti-semitic remarks.
Pirro’s role will have a set time frame. Interim U.S. attorneys can serve 120 days before they either have to depart the position or secure Senate confirmation after nomination by the president.
A Fox News spokesperson said, “Jeanine Pirro has been a wonderful addition to The Five over the last three years and a longtime beloved host across Fox News Media who contributed greatly to our success throughout her 14-year tenure. We wish her all the best in her new role in Washington.”
More to come.
