In a significant political development, President Donald Trump is reportedly contemplating the appointment of Fox News host and former prosecutor Jeanine Pirro as the interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. Sources familiar with the discussions revealed this information to ABC News, indicating a potential shift in leadership within one of the nation's most critical U.S. attorney's offices.
This potential selection arises as Trump informed reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday that Ed Martin, who is currently serving as the interim top prosecutor for D.C., will not retain the position permanently. Martin has reportedly lost support from key Republican figures in the Senate, making his continued role untenable. Sources suggest that an official announcement regarding a new interim U.S. attorney could be made as soon as Thursday, although they caution that plans may change and decisions aren't final until publicly declared by the president.
As of now, the White House has not responded to requests for comment from ABC News regarding this potential appointment. Similarly, a representative from Fox News press relations, as well as Pirro herself, did not provide immediate commentary on the matter. This lack of response adds an element of uncertainty to the situation, as the political landscape remains fluid.
Jeanine Pirro has been a steadfast ally of Trump, with their relationship dating back to her tenure as a prominent prosecutor in New York. She was among the earliest supporters of Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and gained attention for her public defense of Trump during the controversial Access Hollywood tape scandal. Following Trump's defeat in the 2020 election, Pirro made headlines for promoting false claims of election fraud, particularly regarding voting machines. These actions led to her being named in the Dominion Voting Systems defamation lawsuit, which resulted in Fox News settling for $787.5 million while admitting that the statements broadcasted were false.
In 2019, Pirro faced suspension from Fox News after she questioned the loyalties of Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar in relation to the U.S. Constitution, raising concerns due to Omar's Muslim faith. Such controversies have surrounded Pirro's career, which has often intertwined with Trump's political journey.
Ed Martin has served as the interim U.S. attorney since the beginning of the Trump administration, but his term is set to expire on May 20. Martin, who has been vocal in promoting Trump's Stop the Steal campaign in early 2021, was also present on Capitol grounds during the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Trump mentioned on Thursday that Martin might be offered another role within the Department of Justice, indicating that his political career may not be over despite the loss of the interim attorney position.
In a related note, one of Trump's last actions before leaving office in 2021 was granting a last-minute pardon to Albert Pirro, Jeanine Pirro's ex-husband and a notable GOP donor. Just minutes before the conclusion of his term, Trump issued a pardon for Albert Pirro, who had been convicted over two decades ago on multiple counts of conspiracy and tax evasion, after being found guilty of improperly deducting lavish personal expenses as business tax write-offs.
The evolving dynamics within the Trump administration and the potential appointment of Jeanine Pirro highlight the ongoing intersections of politics, media, and law in the United States.
