The U.S. Senate has confirmed former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro as the top federal prosecutor for Washington D.C., filling a critical Justice Department position after President Donald Trump withdrew his initial controversial nominee.
The confirmation comes after Trump pulled his first pick, conservative activist Ed Martin Jr., following opposition from key Republican senators who cited concerns over Martin’s support for January 6th Capitol rioters. Martin has since been reassigned as the Justice Department’s pardon attorney.
Why It Matters
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia oversees federal prosecutions in the nation’s capital, including high-profile political cases and matters involving national security. This position carries significant influence over federal law enforcement priorities and represents one of the most politically sensitive prosecutor roles in the country.
Pirro’s appointment marks a notable shift from Martin, who lacked prosecutorial experience, to someone with extensive courtroom background. Her confirmation also highlights ongoing tensions within the Republican party regarding January 6th-related issues and candidate qualifications.
What To Know
Pirro was confirmed in a 50-45 vote, largely along party lines, to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.
The former television host brings substantial legal experience to the role, having served as an elected judge in New York’s Westchester County Court starting in 1990, followed by three terms as the county’s elected district attorney. She graduated from Albany Law School in 1975 and has significantly more courtroom experience than her predecessor.
Before her acting appointment in May, Pirro co-hosted “The Five” on Fox News weekday evenings, where she frequently interviewed Trump. Her media career has not been without controversy—she faces a $2.7 billion libel lawsuit from voting technology company Smartmatic USA over spreading false claims about the 2020 election.
The confirmation process faced additional complications when Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee walked out to protest Emil Bove’s nomination to become a federal appeals court judge, though Republican committee members voted unanimously to advance Pirro’s nomination to the Senate floor.
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What People Are Saying
Jeanine Pirro posted this message on X following the announcement on Saturday: “I am blessed to have received a Senate confirmation vote this evening of 50 to 45 to be the United States attorney for the District of Columbia the largest United States Attorney’s Office in the country. Thank you to those senators who supported my confirmation and DC- get ready for a real crime fighter.”
President Donald Trump during a swearing-in ceremony on Saturday at the White House: “I would like to congratulate Jeanine and her entire family.”
Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut posted on X: “Jeanine Pirro is deeply unqualified & unfit to be the United States Attorney for DC. She is simply a loyal acolyte & sycophant of the President. She is not objective, she is not independent. Instead she has made her mark spreading damaging, offensive conspiracy theories.”
Democratic Senator Adam Schiff of California posted on X: “A sad moment for the Senate and the country. Republicans just confirmed Jeanine Pirro as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. Yes, the same Judge Jeanine that even Fox News said was “crazy” and had to take off the air. How can they vote to confirm these people?”
Democratic Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois posted on X: “Jeanine Pirro should never be a permanent U.S. Attorney. She endorsed the firing of January 6 prosecutors. She recklessly spread the Big Lie to the point her *own producers* had to tell her to cool it. Ultimately, she’s a rubber stamp for Donald Trump.”
What Happens Next?
Pirro will officially assume the role of U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, transitioning from her acting capacity to full authority over the office.
She will oversee ongoing federal prosecutions and investigations while potentially facing continued scrutiny over the pending Smartmatic litigation.
Update 8/2/25, 9:28 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article.
