Trump Appoints Janine Pirro as DC’s Top Prosecutor

On Thursday, President Trump announced the provisional appointment of Janine Pirro, a Fox News host and former judge, to serve as the top prosecutor for the District of Columbia.

Trump shared on social media that he believes Pirro is highly qualified for the position, stating, “In addition to her legal career, Janine previously hosted Justice for 10 years with her own Fox News show and is now a co-host of five, one of the most acclaimed shows on television.” He further praised her, calling her one of the best district attorneys in New York State history, adding, “She’s in a class alone. Congratulations!”

As of yet, it remains unclear if Trump intends to nominate Pirro for the position on a permanent basis.

Pirro has a long history in law, having served multiple terms as the district attorney for Westchester County, New York. Currently, she is a regular Fox News host, known for her appearances on “The Five,” although she was not part of the panel on Thursday.

Having been associated with the network for nearly 20 years, she became co-host of its prominent talk show in 2022.

Some commentators have expressed strong criticism towards what they perceive as the “weaponization” of the Justice Department, particularly as it pertains to Democrats and others targeted by Trump and his allies.

During Trump’s previous term, Pirro found herself at the center of controversy when she made remarks about Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) that drew significant backlash, comments that Trump defended at the time.

Fox News has not responded to requests for comment regarding this appointment.

Pirro joins a growing list of Fox News hosts who have been selected for roles within the Trump administration, alongside figures like Pete Hegseth and Sean Duffy. Trump’s relationship with Fox has been complex over the years, marked by frequent criticisms regarding coverage he perceives as unfavorable.

Indicating a shift in nomination strategy, Trump also mentioned he would withdraw Ed Martin’s candidacy for the DC prosecutor role. Martin faced hurdles in his potential confirmation when Senator Tom Tillis (R-N.C.) announced he wouldn’t support the nomination, complicating the Senate’s tight margin.

Though Martin had never served as a prosecutor, he had been a temporary appointee, initially set to remain until May 20th. In a subsequent social media post, Trump stated that Martin would take a position at the Department of Justice focusing on investigating the “weaponization” of government under the Biden administration, aiming to restore justice for the victims.