BREAKING: The Senate has officially confirmed former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro as the top federal prosecutor for Washington, D.C., in a tight vote of 50-45. This immediate appointment comes after President Donald Trump withdrew his initial controversial nominee, conservative activist Ed Martin Jr., following backlash regarding Martin’s support for the January 6, 2021, Capitol rioters.
Pirro, who has a significant legal background as a former county prosecutor and elected judge, stepped into the role of acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia in May. Before her legal duties, she co-hosted the popular Fox News show “The Five“, where she frequently conducted interviews with Trump.
The urgency of this confirmation is underscored by the political climate surrounding the Capitol riots and ongoing investigations into the events of that day. Martin’s nomination was rescinded after a key Republican senator expressed opposition, citing Martin’s past comments which supported the rioters. Martin now holds the position of the Justice Department’s pardon attorney.
In a related legal landscape, Pirro faces scrutiny due to a $2.7 billion libel suit filed against Fox News and others by voting technology company Smartmatic USA. The lawsuit accuses the network and its personalities, including Pirro, of spreading false claims that Smartmatic helped “steal” the 2020 presidential election from Trump.
Last month, the Senate Judiciary Committee, largely without Democratic support, voted unanimously to advance Pirro’s nomination to the full Senate floor for this critical role. Pirro’s legal credentials are notable, as she has more courtroom experience than Martin, who had never served as a prosecutor prior to his brief appointment.
Pirro, a 1975 graduate of Albany Law School, previously served as a judge in New York’s Westchester County Court, winning election as the county’s district attorney with a strong track record. Notably, in his last hours in office, Trump granted a pardon to Pirro’s ex-husband, Albert Pirro, who was convicted in 2000 on charges of conspiracy and tax evasion.
As Pirro steps into her new role, many are watching closely to see how her past affiliations and legal experience will shape her approach to prosecuting federal cases in the nation’s capital. This appointment is a pivotal moment in the ongoing political landscape, and the implications for law enforcement and judicial proceedings will be significant.
Stay tuned for further updates on how this development unfolds and what it means for the future of federal prosecutions in Washington, D.C.