Jeanine Pirro confirmed as Washington’s new prosecutor

Sunday 03 August 2025 - 07:45

The U.S. Senate has officially confirmed former Fox News host and judge Jeanine Pirro as the new prosecutor for the District of Columbia, solidifying her place among several high-profile figures from conservative media who have joined the Trump administration.

The vote, held on Saturday, August 2, passed narrowly with 50 votes in favor and 45 against, following a request from President Donald Trump to expedite the process. The Senate, currently controlled by Republicans, agreed to hold a special weekend session to approve key nominations.

Pirro, aged 74, previously served as the interim prosecutor since May and is well-known for her assertive style and strong alignment with conservative values. Before entering the federal spotlight, she was a district attorney in Westchester County, New York.

A long-time ally of Trump, she hosted the popular Fox News show “Justice with Judge Jeanine” for over a decade. Trump has described her as belonging to “a class of her own.”

Her appointment continues a broader trend of media personalities entering government roles under Trump. For example, Pete Hegseth, now Secretary of Defense, once co-hosted Fox & Friends Weekend, and Sean Duffy, now Secretary of Transportation, is a former reality TV contestant and Fox Business host.

However, the decision has been met with criticism. Senator Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, argued that Pirro is unfit for a permanent federal position, citing her promotion of conspiracy theories regarding the 2020 election.

Pirro was also involved in the high-profile defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems, which resulted in Fox News paying $787.5 million to settle. Despite the controversy, she remains a vocal supporter of Trump and has authored several books defending his policies and legacy.