Jeanine Pirro was sworn in as the interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., on May 14, 2025, following her appointment by President Donald Trump on May 8, 2025. The former Fox News host, known for “Justice with Judge Jeanine” and co-hosting “The Five,” replaced Ed Martin, whose nomination faltered due to Senate opposition over his January 6, 2021, Capitol riot views. Pirro, a former Westchester County prosecutor and judge, leads one of the nation’s largest U.S. Attorney’s offices, overseeing over 350 prosecutors handling federal and local crimes in the capital. Trump praised her as a “powerful crusader for victims of crime,” citing her establishment of the first Domestic Violence Bureau in Westchester. However, her appointment has sparked controversy due to her lack of federal prosecutorial experience, her vocal support for Trump, and past controversies, including promoting false 2020 election fraud claims, which led to her involvement in a $787.5 million Dominion Voting Systems settlement against Fox News. Critics, including Democrats, question her independence and the legality of Trump’s successive interim appointments under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act. Within days of taking office, Pirro announced a major arrest in a case involving illegal firearms and false bomb threats, and she has pledged “no more mercy for criminals.” Her handling of a high-profile investigation into the murders of two Israeli embassy staffers on May 22, 2025, earned early praise from Justice Department officials for her restraint and professionalism, though some prosecutors remain skeptical, fearing she may prioritize Trump’s agenda.
