Fox News host and longtime prosecutor Jeanine Pirro is headed back to the courtroom — and this time, she’s taking on Washington, D.C.
From TV panelist to top prosecutor
President Donald Trump has named Judge Jeanine Pirro, 73, as his pick for interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, calling her “in a class by herself” and praising her long record of taking on criminals.
The move marks a major shift for Pirro, who has been a regular face on Fox News since 2006 and most recently co-hosted The Five, the network’s highest-rated show.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump didn’t hold back on praise.
“Jeanine is incredibly well qualified for this position,” he wrote. “She is considered one of the top District Attorneys in the history of New York.”
“Her establishment of the Domestic Violence Bureau in her Prosecutor’s Office was the first in the Nation. She excelled in all ways… She is in a class by herself.”
Fox News reacts: “A beloved host”
After news of Pirro’s departure broke, Fox News issued a statement wishing her well in her new role.
“Jeanine Pirro has been a wonderful addition to The Five over the last three years,” the network said. “She contributed greatly to our success throughout her 14-year tenure. We wish her all the best in her new role in Washington.”
Pirro has not issued a personal statement, but reposted a message from Sergio Gor, Trump’s hiring manager:
“Congratulations Judge Jeanine who will soon make DC Great Again.”
Senate confirmation pending
While Pirro has been named interim U.S. Attorney, she still needs Senate confirmation before officially taking office. Trump reportedly pivoted to Pirro after his original pick, Ed Martin, failed to gain traction with lawmakers.
“We have somebody else we’ll be announcing over the next two days that will be great,” Trump teased earlier this week. That “somebody” turned out to be a familiar face for millions of cable news viewers.
Praise from top Republicans
The announcement was quickly backed by key Republican figures, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, who called the pick “exactly the right person at the right time.”
“She brings wide and deep legal experience, a passion for justice, and a determination to protect law-abiding citizens from criminal predators,” Graham posted on X. “This is a bad day for criminals.”
Sen. Thom Tillis called the move a “great choice”, pointing to Pirro’s “long and storied career.”
From courtroom to cable — and now back again
Before her rise as a cable news fixture, Jeanine Pirro made history as the first woman elected as District Attorney in Westchester County, New York, where she also served as a judge.
She later hosted Justice with Judge Jeanine on Fox News for over a decade before joining The Five in 2022.
Now, she’ll be trading TV scripts for legal filings as she prepares to lead one of the nation’s most high-profile prosecutorial offices — and her return to public service has Washington buzzing.
