Trump taps Fox News' Pirro for DC attorney post
The president has named Fox News host Jeanine Pirro to be the top federal prosecutor for Washington, replacing acting US Attorney Ed Martin


What happened
President Donald Trump said Thursday night he was tapping Fox News host Jeanine Pirro to be the top federal prosecutor for Washington, D.C., hours after pulling his nomination of right-wing activist and acting U.S. Attorney Ed Martin Jr.
Who said what
"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 said on social media. "She is in a class by herself." Pirro's selection "continues Trump’s reliance on what are now more than 20 former Fox television personalities to serve in sensitive roles in his second administration," The Washington Post said.
Like Martin, Pirro "has supported Trump’s push to seek retribution against perceived enemies" and supported his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss, The Wall Street Journal said. But unlike Martin, she "has experience as a prosecutor," making her "a more conventional choice" to lead, at least temporarily, the largest U.S. attorney's office in the country. Martin's nomination was doomed after Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said he wouldn't vote for him, citing Martin's support of violent Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol rioters. Martin also failed to disclose more than 150 appearances on Russian state TV and his ties to a white supremacist antisemite.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What next?
Trump said he is naming Martin the "new director of the Weaponization Working Group, associate deputy attorney general and pardon attorney," all Justice Department positions that don't require Senate confirmation. Trump's installation of Pirro after Martin is an "aggressive interpretation of his appointment powers," The New York Times said, and "could face a legal challenge."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Why are American conservatives clashing with Pope Leo?
Talking Points Comments on immigration and abortion draw backlash
-
9 haunted hotels where things definitely go bump in the night
The Week Recommends Don’t fear these spirited spots. Embrace them.
-
Saudi comedy fest exposes free speech schism in stand-up
IN THE SPOTLIGHT The decision by some of stand-up’s biggest names to attend a festival in a nation infamous for its censorship has the comedy world picking sides and settling old scores
-
Museum head ousted after Trump sword gift denial
Speed Read Todd Arrington, who led the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, denied the Trump administration a sword from the collection as a gift for King Charles
-
Trump declares ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels
speed read This provides a legal justification for recent lethal military strikes on three alleged drug trafficking boats
-
Supreme Court rules for Fed’s Cook in Trump feud
Speed Read Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook can remain in her role following Trump’s attempts to oust her
-
‘This isn’t just semantics’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Miami Freedom Tower’s MAGA library squeeze
THE EXPLAINER Plans to place Donald Trump’s presidential library next to an iconic symbol of Florida’s Cuban immigrant community has South Florida divided
-
Judge rules Trump illegally targeted Gaza protesters
Speed Read The Trump administration’s push to arrest and deport international students for supporting Palestine is deemed illegal
-
Trump: US cities should be military ‘training grounds’
Speed Read In a hastily assembled summit, Trump said he wants the military to fight the ‘enemy within’ the US
-
US government shuts down amid health care standoff
Speed Read Democrats said they won’t vote for a deal that doesn’t renew Affordable Care Act health care subsidies