Jeanine Pirro Appointed as Acting U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C.

In a significant shift within his administration, President Donald Trump has announced the appointment of Jeanine Pirro, a prominent Fox News personality and former judge, as the acting U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C. This decision comes after Trump withdrew his earlier nomination of Ed Martin Jr. for the role.

Jeanine Pirro brings a wealth of legal experience to the position. Having served as a judge in New York's Westchester County and as the district attorney for the county, she is recognized for her contributions to the legal field. Trump commended her qualifications, stating that she ranks among the top district attorneys in New York's history.

In a posting on his social media platform, Trump indicated that Pirro would lead the largest U.S. Attorney's office in the country, although he did not clarify whether her appointment would become permanent. Pirro's appointment follows the withdrawal of Martin's nomination, which was influenced by concerns raised by Republican senators regarding his prior involvement in the defense of individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riots.

Trump expressed his disappointment with Martin's lack of support from key political figures, mentioning, "He's a terrific person, and he wasn't getting the support from people that I thought."

The controversy surrounding Martin's previous role in Trump's "Stop the Steal" movement contributed to his withdrawal. Critics within the legal community had raised doubts about Martin's qualifications, as he had not previously served as a prosecutor before his appointment in January. His tenure was marked by contentious decisions, including dismissing staff involved in politically sensitive cases and making social media posts regarding potential investigative targets.

Pirro, who has been a fixture on Fox News since 2006, gained prominence as a legal commentator and has made numerous appearances on various programs, including her role on "The Five." Prior to her television career, she was involved in significant legal cases, including leading one of the first domestic violence units in a prosecutor's office.

Notably, Pirro's past has not been without controversy. She was part of a high-profile lawsuit filed by Smartmatic USA against Fox News and several individuals, alleging the spread of false claims related to election fraud during the 2020 presidential election.

Fox News has expressed support for Pirro's new role, acknowledging her contributions to the network and wishing her well in her new position. Martin's temporary appointment is set to expire on May 20, which has prompted discussions about the future leadership of the U.S. Attorney's office in D.C.

Pirro's appointment continues a trend of Trump selecting individuals with ties to Fox News for prominent government positions, reflecting the ongoing intersection of media and politics in the current administration.