FILE - Interim U.S. Attorney General for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro listens to President Donald Trump speak during her swearing in ceremony, May 28, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
URGENT UPDATE: The Senate has officially confirmed former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro as the new top federal prosecutor for the District of Columbia, finalizing a decision that has garnered significant attention amid political turmoil. The vote concluded with a narrow margin of 50-45, following the withdrawal of President Donald Trump‘s first nominee, Ed Martin Jr., due to controversies surrounding his past support for the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Pirro, who previously co-hosted the popular Fox News show “The Five,” has stepped into the role of acting U.S. Attorney for D.C. since May. The confirmation comes at a pivotal time for the Justice Department, which is currently navigating multiple high-profile cases. Pirro’s experience as a former county prosecutor and elected judge positions her as a seasoned legal authority, especially compared to Martin, who had no prior prosecutorial experience.
This confirmation arrives just days after a unanimous vote by the Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to advance her nomination, an action taken amid the backdrop of a Democratic walkout in protest of another judicial nomination. The urgency surrounding her appointment highlights the critical nature of leadership in prosecutorial roles during a time of heightened scrutiny on federal law enforcement.
In a controversial twist, Pirro’s previous employer, Fox News, faces a $2.7 billion libel lawsuit from voting technology company Smartmatic USA. The lawsuit alleges that Pirro and others spread false claims regarding the company’s involvement in “stealing” the 2020 presidential election from Trump. This legal battle continues to unfold, adding another layer to Pirro’s high-profile public persona.
Notably, Pirro was elected as a judge in New York’s Westchester County Court in 1990 and served three terms as the county’s district attorney, providing her with extensive courtroom experience. Her legal acumen is expected to bring a decisive shift in the U.S. Attorney’s office, especially in handling cases that involve public safety and political integrity.
Following her confirmation, discussions surrounding Pirro’s potential impact on ongoing investigations and prosecutions are anticipated to escalate. Observers are particularly interested in how her leadership will influence the handling of cases related to the January 6 insurrection and broader electoral integrity issues.
As the nation watches, Pirro’s confirmation signals a new chapter for the D.C. federal prosecutor’s office, raising questions about the future direction of prosecutions amid an intensely polarized political landscape. The implications of her appointment could resonate far beyond the courtroom, affecting public trust in the judicial system.
What happens next? Stakeholders and citizens alike will be closely monitoring her actions and decisions in the coming weeks as Pirro takes on the full responsibilities of her new role. This is a developing story, and updates are expected to flow as the political climate evolves.
