Jeanine Pirro Advances as Interim US Attorney for Washington, DC
Jeanine Pirro, a former host on Fox News, is moving closer to a long-term appointment as the federal prosecutor for Washington, DC, following a recent vote on July 17th that favored her nomination.
Initially, President Trump had nominated Ed Martin for the role, but he faced significant pushback from both sides of the aisle, which ultimately led to his nomination being withdrawn. Trump expressed disappointment, stating that Martin didn’t garner the support he expected.
However, not long after that setback, Trump assured the public that his next nominee would be a strong candidate. Soon after, he named Pirro, who has gained recognition as a conservative commentator, as his preferred choice for the position.
Pirro has been serving in an acting capacity since mid-May, following the retraction of Martin’s nomination, which was opposed notably by Senator Tom Tillis (R-NC). Tillis voiced concerns due to Martin’s connection with cases related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol protests.
The position of the DC US Attorney is crucial, as it handles offenses involving federal officials and significant political and legal matters. The previous office holder, Matthew M. Graves, was appointed by President Biden and had filed over 1,000 cases in response to the Capitol violations. Interestingly, when Trump was inaugurated in 2025, he granted clemency to all convicted individuals related to that incident.
Before her television career, Pirro built a solid foundation in law. She served three consecutive terms as the district attorney for Westchester County, New York, from 1994 to 2005 and has experience as a county judge since 1990.
At her swearing-in event for the interim position, Pirro highlighted her long-standing relationship with Trump, referring to him as one of her early supporters.
Her nomination will now head to the Senate for a final confirmation vote. It seems quite likely she’ll be confirmed unless more than four Republican Senators raise objections.
