Jeanine Pirro’s New Role: How Could It Reshape D.C.’s Legal Future?

President Trump sent the left into meltdown this week by appointing Fox News personality Jeanine Pirro as the interim U.S. attorney for Washington D.C. The surprise announcement comes as Trump continues reshaping the federal legal landscape with loyal figures from his inner circle.

At a glance:

• President Trump appointed Fox News host Jeanine Pirro as interim U.S. attorney for Washington D.C.
• Pirro is a former Republican district attorney from Westchester County, New York
• The appointment follows the withdrawal of Ed Martin’s nomination after Senate Republican pressure
• Trump praised Pirro as a “powerful crusader for victims of crime”

Trump Taps Fox News Star for Key Legal Role

President Trump announced Thursday that he selected Jeanine Pirro, the 73-year-old conservative Fox News personality and former prosecutor, to serve as the interim U.S. attorney for Washington D.C. The decision comes just hours after Trump withdrew his previous nominee, Ed Martin, who faced significant resistance from Senate Republicans.

Pirro, who currently co-hosts “The Five” on Fox News after a decade hosting “Justice with Judge Jeanine,” brings a strong law enforcement background to the position. Her appointment gives Trump direct influence over one of the nation’s most politically significant federal prosecutor’s offices, responsible for many cases involving the federal government.

While Democrats slam the president’s decision, they conveniently ignore the fact that Pirro has a long and successful career as a prosecutor.

Distinguished Legal Career Before Television Fame

Pirro began her legal career in 1978 and made history as the first woman elected as both County Judge and District Attorney in Westchester County, New York. During her tenure as district attorney, she established the nation’s first Domestic Violence Bureau and developed a reputation for aggressively prosecuting domestic violence and sex crimes.

President Trump announced he’s appointing former prosecutor Judge Jeanine Pirro the interim U.S. attorney for Washington, DC.

“She is in a class by herself,” the president wrote.

Read more: https://t.co/yRLBK8Zfjs pic.twitter.com/Y3RPJIwHzQ

— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) May 9, 2025

Trump praised Pirro’s prosecutorial background in his announcement, stating, “During her time in office, Jeanine was a powerful crusader for victims of crime.” The President added, “She is in a class by herself,” highlighting his confidence in her abilities to lead the Washington D.C. prosecutor’s office.

This sure would not be dull…..my old colleague Jeanine Pirro who was a prosecutor before a judge and before a tv host pic.twitter.com/0lDUhpGSi1

— Greta Van Susteren (@greta) May 8, 2025

Legal Questions and Political Implications

The appointment raises significant legal questions regarding the President’s authority to make such appointments without Senate confirmation. Some legal experts suggest that challenges to Pirro’s appointment could impact ongoing criminal cases or potentially expand presidential appointment powers – but would those experts be saying the same thing if Biden had done the same?

Pirro has not held a law enforcement position since stepping down as district attorney nearly two decades ago, focusing instead on her media career. Despite her hiatus from active prosecutorial work, supporters point to her record as one of New York’s top district attorneys and her tough stance on crime as qualifications for this critical role.