Jeanine Pirro, the host of Fox News, has been appointed by Trump as the temporary U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C.

Former New York prosecutor and Fox News commentator Jeanine Pirro was named the temporary U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., by former U.S. President Donald Trump in a shocking and contentious decision.

Shortly after losing significant Republican support in the Senate, Trump was forced to rescind his initial choice for the job. Appointments to such federal offices must be confirmed by the Senate, and Trump’s first choice did not receive the support he needed.

Pirro has been a major media character for decades and is well-known for her angry on-air persona and fervent support for Trump. Her appearances on Fox News, which included frequent appearances on well-liked programs like The Five—which Trump called “one of the highest-rated shows on television”—brought her widespread recognition.

Her appointment, though, has already drawn criticism. She is criticized for not having the qualifications and expertise needed for such a crucial position, particularly one that entails managing federal prosecutions in the nation’s capital, including well-known and politically delicate cases.

Election misinformation and a contentious past

Following the 2020 presidential election, Pirro gained notoriety for spreading bogus allegations of voter fraud and tampered polling equipment. The voting equipment manufacturer Dominion Voting Systems filed a defamation action against Fox News in part because of these remarks. The lawsuit was ultimately resolved by the network for an astounding $787 million.

In spite of this, Trump hailed Pirro as a “powerful crusader for the victims of crime” in a social media post on Truth Social. He cited her television experience as one of her credentials, while also lauding her previous positions as a judge and district attorney in Westchester County, New York. Notably, he did not indicate how long Pirro is anticipated to hold this temporary position or whether she will be nominated for the position permanently, which would require official Senate confirmation.

Strong Connections to Trump

One of Trump’s closest media allies has been Jeanine Pirro. For years, she has defended him and advanced his political agenda using her position. Trump also granted a presidential pardon to Pirro’s ex-husband, who had been found guilty of tax fraud decades prior, as one of the last actions of his first term. This motion demonstrated how close they are to one another.

With Pirro’s appointment, Trump has influenced the selection of a Fox News personality for a significant federal position for the second time. Another Fox News personality, Pete Hegseth, was previously recommended for a high-level post at the Department of Defense. Democrats have criticized this pattern, claiming that Trump is appointing media figures who align with his agenda to important posts instead of people with significant government or legal experience.

Democratic Reaction and Qualifications-Related Questions

Democratic leaders were quick to express their disapproval. Rep. Jimmy Gomez of California mockingly asked, “Which Fox News host will get the next federal appointment?” on X (previously Twitter).

In a forcefully worded statement, the Democratic National Committee said:

“Jeanine Pirro has a history of supporting Trump and those involved in a violent uprising against the rule of law, making her yet another unqualified TV personality.”

They were alluding to the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, which remains a source of intense political disagreement in the nation. Some of Trump’s appointments and other supporters have either defended or minimized the attack. The rioters’ legal investigations have been widely criticized by Trump, who has even pardoned a number of individuals found guilty.

Republican Backing from Important People

Some Republicans have applauded Pirro’s selection in spite of the issue. Longtime Trump supporter Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina praised the ruling on social media, referring to it as a “grand slam, home run.” He wrote:

“She is unquestionably the ideal candidate for this role at this time.”

Others in the GOP, however, have been more cautious. Ed Martin, a conservative podcaster and ardent Trump supporter who has been acting as the acting U.S. attorney since January, will be replaced by Pirro. Because of resistance from important Republican senators, such as Thom Tillis of North Carolina, a pivotal swing vote, Martin was unable to obtain approval for a permanent position.

Because Martin had minimized the severity of the Capitol riots, Senator Tillis said he was unable to support Martin’s candidacy.

Earlier this week, Tillis told reporters, “I just cannot support anyone who defends those who entered the Capitol on January 6.”

Martin had come under heavy fire for dismissing a number of prosecutors working on prosecutions against Capitol rioters. His activities were perceived as attempts to shield Trump supporters from accountability and meddle in pending judicial procedures.

Trump’s Persistent Attack on the Justice Department

Trump has long claimed that he and his followers are being “weaponized” by the Justice Department. Trump stated in a different post on Truth Social that Martin would continue to serve in the Justice Department as the leader of a group known as the “Weaponization Working Group,” which is tasked with closely examining people who look into or bring charges against Trump and his supporters.

Trump has publicly pledged to end the January 6 investigations and pardon individuals convicted in connection with the Capitol attack since reentering the political limelight and resuming his presidential campaign. This is seen by his detractors as an obvious indication that he wants to subvert the rule of law in order to further his political agenda.

What Happens Next?

Even though Pirro’s appointment as the acting U.S. attorney is only temporary, it is likely to exacerbate the already hostile political climate. The question of whether Trump will formally nominate her for permanent confirmation—and if so, whether she could garner enough Senate votes to be approved—remains as Washington prepares for another fierce election season.

Pirro will temporarily occupy one of the most influential legal posts in the nation, managing significant federal cases in a city still reeling from the political and legal fallout from the 2020 election and the Capitol riots.