President Trump Appoints Jeanine Pirro as Interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C.

By Devin Breitenberg

In a significant move, President Donald Trump has appointed Jeanine Pirro, former Fox News host and long-time ally, as the interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. The announcement was made on May 8, 2025, via Trump's social media platform, Truth Social.

Pirro, 73, is a seasoned legal professional with a notable career in New York's judicial system. She served as the first female judge of the Westchester County Court and later as the county's district attorney, where she established the nation's first Domestic Violence Bureau. Her tenure in these roles earned her recognition for her work on domestic violence cases and advocacy for crime victims.

Transitioning to media, Pirro joined Fox News in 2006, hosting "Justice with Judge Jeanine" for over a decade before becoming a co-host on "The Five" in 2022. Her departure from the network was confirmed following the announcement of her new role.

Pirro's appointment comes after the withdrawal of Ed Martin's nomination for the same position. Martin faced opposition in the Senate due to his controversial statements regarding the January 6 Capitol riot and his lack of prosecutorial experience.

President Trump praised Pirro's qualifications, stating she is "incredibly well qualified for this position" and "in a class by herself." While her appointment is currently interim, it remains to be seen whether she will be nominated for a permanent position, which would require Senate confirmation.

Pirro's transition from media to a prominent legal role underscores the Trump administration's continued trend of appointing former media personalities to key governmental positions. Her extensive legal background and public profile are expected to influence her approach as the top federal prosecutor in Washington, D.C.

Devin Breitenberg is a legal consultant and senior counsel at Devin Law LLC and legal contributor  for Veritas Expositae.  You can reach her at devin.breitenberg@veritasexpositae.com