In a surprising move, U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed Jeanine Pirro, a well-known Fox News host and former New York prosecutor, as interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C. This decision comes after Trump officially withdrew his support for Ed Martin, the conservative attorney who was previously in the role.
Pirro, known for her strong support of Trump and outspoken TV persona, will now serve in one of the most powerful legal positions in the country.
Trump Praises Pirro’s Legal Background
Trump announced the appointment on Truth Social, saying Pirro is “incredibly well qualified” and “one of the top district attorneys in the history of New York.” He also praised her time as the District Attorney of Westchester County, especially for creating the first domestic violence unit in the office.
Fox News also issued a statement saying Pirro had been a valuable part of the network for 14 years and wished her the best in her new role.
Pirro’s Loyalty to Trump Pays Off
Pirro has long been a loyal Trump supporter, both on and off screen. She openly backed his first presidential campaign in 2016 and regularly defended his policies on air. This new appointment now makes her the 23rd Fox News figure to join the Trump administration during his second term.
Staff members at Fox said Pirro had previously wondered why she wasn’t picked for a government role, especially given her loyalty. Over the past two days, her good mood made it clear that something big was coming. She hosted “The Five” on Wednesday but was absent from Thursday’s show, where she was replaced by another host.
Mixed Reactions to Her Appointment
The appointment has led to strong reactions. Supporters say Pirro has the experience and courage to handle the role. Critics, however, are calling it political and unprofessional. A former Fox News producer told The Independent, “What a god-d*mned joke,” reacting to the announcement. Another said, “Grifting is the easiest job in the world, and being DC attorney is actually hard.”
Critics also questioned Pirro’s past involvement in pushing election conspiracy theories, especially during the 2020 election. Rupert Murdoch, the head of Fox News, admitted during the Dominion Voting Systems defamation case that Pirro had endorsed false claims of a stolen election.
Her segments, according to Fox News producers, were sometimes flagged for being filled with conspiracies and misinformation. Still, Trump has rewarded her with one of the most high-profile legal roles in his administration.
Why Ed Martin Lost Support
Before Pirro was selected, Ed Martin had been Trump’s pick for the full-time role. However, his nomination faced pushback from Republican senators. They criticized him for failing to disclose appearances on Russian state media and for his support of the January 6 Capitol riots.
Martin had reportedly suggested firing lawyers who brought charges against Capitol rioters and wanted to reduce sentences for those convicted. He also had plans to investigate critics of Elon Musk, Democrats, and universities, which raised further concerns.
Due to this growing opposition, Trump said he had no choice but to pull back the nomination. “It was disappointing, but that’s the way it works sometimes,” Trump stated.