Senate Confirmation
Jeanine Pirro, the former Fox News host, has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the top federal prosecutor for Washington, D.C. Her confirmation came through a narrow vote of 50-45, filling a position that had been left vacant after President Donald Trump withdrew his contentious initial nominee, Edward Martin Jr.
Background and Career
Pirro, who previously served as a county prosecutor and judge, began her role as acting U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia in May. Before this, she co-hosted the popular Fox News program The Five, where she frequently engaged with Trump.
Controversial Nomination Withdrawal
Trump’s decision to withdraw Martin’s nomination followed criticism from a prominent Republican senator, who opposed Martin due to his vocal support for the rioters involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. Following this, Martin has taken on the role of pardon attorney at the Justice Department.
Connections to Cable News
Pirro is not the only figure from the cable news world to receive a federal appointment; she joins Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy in the administration, both of whom have ties to Fox News.
Political Aspirations and Writing
Though Pirro has tried her hand at politics with unsuccessful runs for the U.S. Senate and as New York’s attorney general, where she lost to Democrat Andrew Cuomo, she gained national recognition through her television career. Her show, Judge Jeanine Pirro, aired from 2008 to 2011, and she later hosted Justice with Judge Jeanine on Fox News for 11 years. Currently, she contributes to The Five.
Publications and Legal Controversies
A prolific author, Pirro wrote Liars, Leakers, and Liberals: The Case Against the Anti-Trump Conspiracy, published in 2018, which The Washington Post criticized for its extreme pro-Trump stance. Her promotion of unproven conspiracy theories surrounding the 2020 election led to her being named a defendant in a defamation lawsuit from Dominion Voting Systems, which accused Fox of disseminating false information. Ultimately, Fox News resolved the case for nearly $800 million.
Path to Confirmation
Last month, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously in favor of Pirro’s nomination after a boycott by Democrats over another nomination issue caused a stir. Notably, Pirro’s courtroom experience surpasses that of Martin, who had no prior prosecution experience before assuming office.
Personal Notes
Pirro, a graduate of Albany Law School in 1975, previously held elected positions as a judge in Westchester County and as the county’s district attorney. In an interesting personal note, during his final hours in office, Trump granted a pardon to her ex-husband, Albert Pirro, who had been convicted in 2000 on charges of conspiracy and tax evasion.
