Judge Jeanine Pirro Appointed Interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C.

In a high-profile announcement this week, President Donald Trump appointed Judge Jeanine Pirro as the interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. Pirro, a longtime television personality and former prosecutor, has served as a co-host on the Fox News program The Five and is known for her decades-long career in law.

“I am pleased to announce that Judge Jeanine Pirro will be appointed interim United States Attorney for the District of Columbia,” the president posted on his social media platform, Truth Social. “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.”

Fox News, where Pirro has been a prominent media figure for over a decade, confirmed her departure in a statement wishing her well in her new government role. “Jeanine Pirro has been a wonderful addition to The Five over the last three years and a longtime host across FOX News Media. We wish her all the best in her new role in Washington,” the network said.

Pirro’s appointment comes after the nomination of Ed Martin, the previous interim U.S. Attorney, faced opposition in the Senate. Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina publicly announced that he would not support Martin’s confirmation, citing concerns related to Martin’s views on the January 6 Capitol breach.

Sen. Tillis explained that while he had met with Martin to discuss his concerns, his decision remained unchanged. “At this point, I’ve indicated to the White House I wouldn’t support his nomination,” he said in comments to reporters. “Most of my concerns relate to January 6. I think anyone who breached the perimeter should have faced legal consequences, and I have little tolerance for those actions.”

According to Tillis, Martin expressed views suggesting that some individuals charged in connection with the January 6 incident may have been over-prosecuted. While Tillis acknowledged there may have been cases where sentencing was excessive, he remained firm in his belief that many individuals involved should face legal accountability. He also emphasized that he would have been open to supporting Martin for a position in a different jurisdiction, but not in Washington, D.C., where the events took place.

Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, who serves as the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, later confirmed that Martin’s nomination would not move forward due to the lack of support from within the committee. With a narrow margin in the Judiciary Committee, even a single Republican “no” vote proved to be decisive.

“In strict legal terms, Mr. Martin remains interim U.S. Attorney until the end of May,” Sen. Durbin noted. “At that point, the district court judge has the authority to fill the vacancy temporarily if no permanent appointment is confirmed.”

Pirro’s appointment is seen as a temporary solution, with the role of U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia being one of the most prominent prosecutorial positions in the country, overseeing cases involving federal crimes, political investigations, and national security.

President Trump previously spoke highly of Ed Martin’s capabilities and passion for legal reform. In a recent post, he described Martin as “a key player in helping to bring positive change,” though he did not address the shift in appointment following the Senate setback.

The appointment of Pirro has drawn attention not only because of her high media profile but also due to the crucial nature of the district she will now serve. As a former judge and district attorney in New York, Pirro brings years of courtroom and prosecutorial experience, though her recent years in media have been more focused on commentary than courtroom work.

It remains to be seen how long Pirro will remain in the interim position, as the permanent nomination process for the role continues. Legal experts and political observers alike will be watching closely to see how she approaches one of the most complex legal jurisdictions in the country.