Trump Appoints Judge Jeanine Pirro as Interim U.S. Attorney for D.C. Amid Senate Roadblock

President Donald Trump announced a notable new appointment on Thursday that is drawing considerable public attention. The president named Judge Jeanine Pirro, a longtime television personality and legal analyst, to serve as the interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.

Pirro, known for her years on Fox News and her background as a prosecutor in New York, was praised by the president as a highly experienced and effective legal professional. “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,” Trump stated on his social media platform, Truth Social. “She is in a class by herself. Congratulations Jeanine!”

Fox News, her professional home for the past 14 years, confirmed her departure following the announcement. A network spokesperson said, “Jeanine Pirro has been a wonderful addition to ‘The Five’ and a longtime, beloved host across FOX News Media. We wish her all the best in her new role in Washington.”

The appointment follows a delay in confirming a previous nominee, Ed Martin, for the same position. Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina had expressed reservations about Martin’s nomination and ultimately blocked it from moving forward in the Senate.

Senator Tillis elaborated on his concerns in an interview earlier this week. He cited issues related to Martin’s interpretation of events from January 6, 2021, as the primary reason for his opposition. “I think that anybody that breached the perimeter should have been imprisoned for some period of time, whether it’s 30 days or three years is debatable,” Tillis said. “But I have no tolerance for anybody who entered the building on January 6.”

Tillis added that while he respected some of Martin’s legal views, especially around overcharging, he could not support his nomination for the district where the Capitol breach occurred. “If Mr. Martin were being put forth as a U.S. Attorney for any other district, I’d probably support him—but not in this district,” he said.

This opposition created a significant obstacle for Martin’s confirmation. Senate Judiciary Committee rules mean that without unified Republican support, the nomination stalls. Committee Democrats are also expected to oppose Martin’s appointment, resulting in a potential tie that prevents the nomination from advancing.

Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, the committee’s senior Democrat, acknowledged the uphill battle Martin faced. “The writing’s on the wall,” he said. “He has some problems in his own ranks.”

Durbin added that while Martin could technically remain in an interim role until late May, a federal district judge could eventually appoint someone else to fill the position once his interim term expires.

In the meantime, the appointment of Pirro shifts focus back to the administration’s broader efforts to fill key legal roles. Pirro’s background includes years as a judge and prosecutor in New York, where she gained a reputation for being tough on crime and high-profile cases. Her transition from television to a federal legal position represents a significant shift but not an unprecedented one. Many public figures with legal credentials have moved between media and public service over the years.

Trump, meanwhile, expressed continued support for Ed Martin, even after the nomination was paused. He reiterated his belief in Martin’s abilities, particularly in health and legal matters, and encouraged Republican senators to reconsider. “According to many—including Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—his approval is imperative in terms of doing all that has to be done to save lives and make America healthy again,” Trump wrote. “Ed Martin will be a big player in doing so.”

The move to appoint Pirro comes amid broader discussions in Washington about the role of interim appointees and the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches in confirming key officials. With the Senate’s role in confirmations under scrutiny and party-line divisions often slowing appointments, temporary assignments such as Pirro’s are increasingly common.

Whether Pirro’s interim term becomes permanent remains to be seen. Her performance in the position and the administration’s ability to navigate the Senate confirmation process will likely determine her future in the role. For now, she assumes one of the most high-profile prosecutorial roles in the country, overseeing legal matters in the nation’s capital at a time of continued political and judicial tension.