In a significant development for the nation’s capital, Jeanine Pirro, a prominent figure formerly associated with Fox News, has officially been confirmed as the top federal prosecutor for the District of Columbia. This pivotal appointment marks a new chapter for the legal landscape in Washington, D.C., bringing a seasoned but controversial personality into a key governmental role.
The Senate’s confirmation of Pirro passed with a vote of 50-45, solidifying her position as the acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia since May. Prior to assuming this demanding federal prosecutor role, Pirro was widely recognized for her co-hosting duties on Fox News’s “The Five,” a platform where she frequently engaged in interviews with then-President Donald Trump.
Pirro’s path to this confirmation was not without its own set of political intricacies. Her appointment comes after President Donald Trump’s initial controversial pick for the position, conservative activist Ed Martin Jr., ultimately had his nomination withdrawn due to staunch opposition.
Martin’s nomination faced insurmountable hurdles after a key Republican senator voiced strong objections, citing Martin’s outspoken support for individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, events at the U.S. Capitol. Following the withdrawal of his nomination, Martin transitioned to serve as the Justice Department’s pardon attorney, a different yet still influential federal position.
Adding to the complexities surrounding Pirro’s public profile is a 2021 libel lawsuit filed by voting technology company Smartmatic USA. The suit, which sought $2.7 billion in damages, named Fox News, Pirro, and others, alleging the dissemination of false claims regarding the company’s role in the 2020 presidential election results.
The Senate Judiciary Committee’s vote last month to advance Pirro’s nomination to the Senate floor also drew attention. Republican members unanimously supported her, while Democratic members staged a walkout in protest of a separate nomination for a federal appeals court judge, highlighting the polarized political climate surrounding judicial appointments.
Despite the political headwinds, Pirro brings a wealth of direct courtroom experience to her new role, distinguishing her significantly from her withdrawn predecessor, Ed Martin. A 1975 graduate of Albany Law School, she previously served as an elected judge in New York’s Westchester County Court in 1990 and subsequently completed three terms as the county’s elected district attorney, showcasing a robust background in the legal system.
Further intertwining her career with the Trump administration, it is notable that in the waning moments of his first term as president, Donald Trump granted a pardon to Pirro’s ex-husband, Albert Pirro. He had been convicted in 2000 on charges of conspiracy and tax evasion, a detail that underscores the long-standing connections within this political sphere.
