Donald Trump Appoints Fox News Host Jeanine Pirro as Interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C.

In a move drawing both headlines and controversy, former President Donald Trump has announced that Fox News host and former judge Jeanine Pirro will serve as the interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. The announcement, made via Trump’s platform Truth Social, described Pirro as a “powerful crusader for victims of crime” and claimed she is “incredibly well qualified” for the role.

Pirro, a longtime ally and vocal supporter of Trump, is the 23rd individual affiliated with Fox News to be appointed to a government role during or following Trump’s presidency, according to watchdog group Media Matters.

From Courtroom to Camera

Pirro, a former Republican district attorney and county judge in Westchester County, New York, has not held a law enforcement role in nearly two decades. Since then, she has transitioned to media, becoming a fixture on Fox News as host of Justice with Judge Jeanine. On air, she has consistently championed Trump, often delivering impassioned defenses of his policies and personal character.

She became known for her fiery monologues, dramatic delivery, and unwavering loyalty to the former president — traits that earned her both acclaim from Trump loyalists and criticism from media analysts. Her segments have featured praise for Trump’s leadership style, including a viral moment in which she gushed over the camaraderie of his Cabinet: “They really like each other. You could tell… they talk to each other all the time, if not several times a day. They are totally in sync.”

Legal Controversies and Pardon Ties

Pirro’s relationship with Trump has not only benefited her career, but her family as well. In the final days of his first term, Trump issued a full pardon to her ex-husband, Albert Pirro, who had been convicted in 2000 of tax evasion and conspiracy. Jeanine Pirro reportedly lobbied for the pardon behind the scenes, and it was granted as one of Trump’s last official acts in office.

However, her legal credibility has been called into question. Pirro’s name came up repeatedly in the Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit against Fox News. Dominion accused the network of spreading falsehoods about the 2020 election — allegations that cost Fox a $787 million settlement. Internal messages revealed Pirro’s own executive producer once described one of her scripts as “rife with conspiracy theories and BS,” calling her a “reckless maniac” in private communications.

In one widely circulated segment, Pirro promoted false claims about Dominion’s voting technology, suggesting it originated in Venezuela with ties to Cuban money — allegations thoroughly debunked during legal proceedings.

A Polarizing Appointment

Critics have slammed Pirro’s appointment as a political favor rather than a merit-based decision, citing her long absence from legal practice and her role in promoting election misinformation. Legal analysts point out that the U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C. oversees some of the most high-profile prosecutions in the country — including those related to political corruption, federal crimes, and, recently, January 6 investigations.

Supporters of Trump, however, are celebrating the move, hailing Pirro as a “tough-on-crime” advocate who will bring energy and boldness to the position.

Pirro’s public persona, frequently lampooned on Saturday Night Live, is a blend of courtroom bravado and media theatrics. The satire mirrors her reputation as a polarizing figure: beloved by her base and ridiculed by detractors.

With this appointment, Trump once again underscores his loyalty to media figures who backed him unconditionally — even as critics question the ethics, qualifications, and optics of such a decision.