In a move that sent shockwaves through both the media world and the legal establishment, President Donald Trump has officially appointed Judge Jeanine Pirro as the interim United States Attorney for the District of Columbia. The announcement, made Thursday on Trump’s social media platform Truth Social, marked a major transition for Pirro — and a dramatic reshaping of one of the most influential prosecutorial posts in the nation.
Pirro, a former judge and district attorney in New York’s Westchester County, has long been a familiar and fiery voice on Fox News. Her tenure with the network spanned nearly two decades, culminating with her co-hosting role on The Five, the top-rated show in cable news. Now, she trades her primetime perch for the weighty responsibilities of federal prosecution in Washington, D.C.
“Jeanine is incredibly well qualified for this position, and is considered one of the Top District Attorneys in the History of the State of New York,” Trump wrote. “She is in a class by herself. Congratulations Jeanine!”
Fox News confirmed Pirro’s departure, stating that while she had been a “wonderful addition” to the network, her transition to public service marked the end of a prolific 14-year run across multiple shows. A rotating cast of Fox News personalities is set to fill her seat on The Five until a permanent co-host is named.
Funny how the algorithm served these up side by side. Feels like Tillis took one for the uniparty team and now someone else is getting tapped to take out the next target. pic.twitter.com/SEmElvYj2V
— Hans Mahncke (@HansMahncke) May 9, 2025
Pirro’s legal career precedes her media fame. She broke barriers in Westchester County as the first female judge and later served as both assistant district attorney and district attorney — building a reputation as a tough-on-crime prosecutor. That resume now carries her into one of the highest-profile prosecutorial roles in the country, where she is expected to carry out President Trump’s law-and-order vision in a city that has seen both political unrest and heightened scrutiny in recent years.
“Oh, you won’t confirm Ed Martin as DC US Attorney because he was too nice to J6ers? Fine, I’ll make him the pardon attorney so he can ensure that everyone gets a pardon. Also, here’s Judge Jeanine.” pic.twitter.com/XWKPtdjeZ9
— Will Chamberlain (@willchamberlain) May 9, 2025
Pirro replaces Ed Martin, who served as interim U.S. Attorney from the start of Trump’s term but faced a dead end in the Senate due to mounting opposition. Trump withdrew Martin’s nomination after acknowledging that support on Capitol Hill had dried up. Still, Martin has not been sidelined. In a major pivot, he was appointed Thursday evening to an influential trio of roles within the Department of Justice: Director of the Weaponization Working Group, Associate Deputy Attorney General, and Pardon Attorney.
“In these highly important roles, Ed will make sure we finally investigate the Weaponization of our Government under the Biden Regime,” Trump declared. “Congratulations Ed!”
Martin’s removal and Pirro’s appointment come just ahead of a critical legal deadline: under DOJ guidelines, if the Senate fails to confirm a nominee within 120 days, the authority to appoint an interim U.S. Attorney shifts to federal judges. Trump’s move avoids that possibility, ensuring continued executive control over the position.
