Jeanine Pirro Appointed Interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., Following Ed Martin’s Controversial Tenure
On May 8, 2025, President Donald Trump announced the appointment of Fox News host and former judge Jeanine Pirro as the interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. This decision follows the withdrawal of Ed Martin Jr.’s nomination amid bipartisan concerns over his qualifications and political partisanship.
Martin, a former Missouri Republican Party chair, faced criticism for his lack of prosecutorial experience and support for January 6 defendants. His nomination was opposed by both Democrats and Republicans, including Senator Thom Tillis, and over 100 former prosecutors who viewed his appointment as an affront to justice.
Jeanine Pirro brings extensive legal experience to the role, having served as a judge and district attorney in Westchester County, New York. She was the first woman elected to both positions and led one of the nation’s first domestic violence units. Pirro joined Fox News in 2006 and most recently co-hosted “The Five.”
Despite her legal background, Pirro’s appointment has raised concerns due to her involvement in spreading election misinformation. She was named in a defamation lawsuit by Smartmatic USA for broadcasting false statements about voting machines, a case that Fox News settled for $787.5 million.
Pirro’s interim appointment is seen as part of a broader trend of media figures being elevated to federal positions under Trump’s administration. Her tenure as interim U.S. Attorney will commence following the expiration of Martin’s temporary appointment on May 20, 2025.
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