The U.S. capital’s top federal prosecutor role has been filled by former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro following a contentious Senate confirmation, marking a significant political appointment.
Confirmed by a narrow margin of 50 to 45, Pirro’s ascent to U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia culminates a process that saw President Trump’s initial nominee, Ed Martin Jr., withdraw amidst significant controversy.
Martin’s nomination faced strong opposition due to his vocal support for individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, which saw police officers injured during attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. This opposition ultimately led to Trump rescinding his nomination.
Before her current role, Pirro, a seasoned legal professional, co-hosted “The Five” on Fox News, frequently interviewing then-President Trump. Her extensive career also includes serving as an elected judge and three terms as a district attorney in New York’s Westchester County.
Her considerable courtroom experience, a stark contrast to Martin, who had no prior prosecutorial or trial experience before his brief tenure, was likely a crucial factor in her eventual confirmation, signaling a preference for established legal credentials.
Pirro has also been embroiled in legal challenges, notably a 2021 libel lawsuit filed by Smartmatic USA. The voting technology company sought $2.7 billion from Fox News, Pirro, and others, alleging the spread of false claims regarding the 2020 presidential election.
This lawsuit echoes a similar case brought by Dominion Voting Systems against Fox News, which resulted in a substantial $787 million settlement. Adding another layer of complexity, Pirro’s ex-husband, Albert Pirro, received a pardon from Trump for conspiracy and tax evasion crimes in the final moments of his presidency.
The pathway to her Senate confirmation was not without its own political drama. Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously advanced Pirro’s nomination, even as Democrats staged a walkout in protest of another judicial nomination, underscoring the partisan divisions.
