President Donald Trump has appointed Fox News star and prosecutor Jeanine Pirro as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, while reassigning her withdrawn predecessor to investigate alleged “weaponization” of the justice system by former President Joe Biden’s administration.
The appointment, announced Thursday on Truth Social, comes after Trump withdrew Ed Martin’s nomination for the position due to opposition from Senate Republicans, particularly over his views related to the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.
“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 wrote. “She is in a class by herself.”
Pirro, 73, brings an extensive background of legal and media experience to the role. She served as Westchester County prosecutor for 15 years, became the first woman elected as a judge in Westchester County Court in 1990, and later served as the county’s first female District Attorney for three terms.
For the past 14 years, Pirro has primarily worked in television, hosting “Justice with Judge Jeanine” for 11 years before joining “The Five” in 2022, which has become the most-watched show on cable news. Fox News announced a rotation of personalities will temporarily fill her position on the show.
“Jeanine Pirro has been a wonderful addition to The Five over the last three years and a longtime beloved host across FOX News Media who contributed greatly to our success throughout her 14-year tenure,” a Fox News spokesperson said. “We wish her all the best in her new role in Washington.”
The timing of the appointment was influenced by a May 20 deadline, after which federal district court judges could select an interim U.S. Attorney if the Senate failed to confirm a nominee within the required 120-day period.
While Martin lost his nomination for the U.S. Attorney position, Trump announced he will move to the Department of Justice as “Director of the Weaponization Working Group, Associate Deputy Attorney General, and Pardon Attorney.”
In this capacity, Trump stated Martin “will make sure we finally investigate the Weaponization of our Government under the Biden Regime, and provide much needed Justice for its victims.”
Martin’s nomination had faced significant Republican resistance in the Senate. GOP Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina revealed his opposition stemmed from disagreements over the January 6 Capitol riot.
“I have no tolerance for anybody that entered the building on Jan. 6, and that’s probably where most of the friction was,” Tillis told reporters, adding that he had recommended SEC Chair Jay Clayton for the position instead.
The selection of Pirro continues Trump’s pattern of appointing former Fox News personalities to key administration positions, joining Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, among others.
As U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Pirro will lead an office responsible for handling federal prosecutions in the nation’s capital, including many politically sensitive cases. The position takes on particular significance given ongoing investigations related to the 2020 election and January 6 events.