The Senate confirmed Jeanine Pirro, a former Fox News host and longtime ally of President Donald Trump, as U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., on August 2, 2025, in a 50-45 party-line vote. Pirro, who served as interim U.S. attorney since May, replaces Ed Martin, whose nomination faltered over his controversial January 6, 2021, Capitol riot stance. A former Westchester County district attorney and judge, Pirro was praised by Trump as “incredibly well qualified” and a “crusader for victims of crime.”
Pirro’s confirmation sparked debate due to her history of promoting 2020 election fraud claims on Fox News, which led to her inclusion in Dominion Voting Systems’ $787.5 million defamation lawsuit against the network. Democrats, including Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, criticized her as an “election denialist” unfit for the role, arguing her appointment risks politicizing the Justice Department. Republicans, like Senator Thom Tillis, lauded her prosecutorial experience and called her a “great choice.”
As D.C.’s top prosecutor, Pirro has implemented policies to scrutinize the immigration status of criminal defendants, aligning with Trump’s deportation agenda. Her office is also investigating high-profile cases, including the shooting deaths of a couple outside the Capital Jewish Museum, potentially as a hate crime. Pirro’s confirmation, one of seven rushed through a rare Saturday session, reflects Trump’s push to install loyalists in key roles despite Democratic objections over nominee delays.
The move underscores ongoing tensions over the Justice Department’s independence, with Pirro’s critics warning of potential bias in handling politically sensitive cases.
