Trump Names Pirro Interim D.C. U.S. Attorney

President Donald Trump has appointed Fox News host and former judge Jeanine Pirro as interim U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., after withdrawing his previous nominee Ed Martin Jr. due to Republican opposition over Martin's defense of Capitol rioters and his lack of prosecutorial experience. Pirro, who previously served as a judge and three-term district attorney in Westchester County, New York, will depart Fox News immediately in accordance with company policy. Her appointment reinforces Trump's pattern of choosing Fox News personalities for high-profile government positions. Pirro's legal experience is seen as more substantial than Martin's, though she has faced controversy, including being a defendant in a $2.7 billion Smartmatic defamation lawsuit over false 2020 election claims. The appointment is an interim one, with no current indication if Trump will seek her permanent Senate confirmation. Pirro's selection has generated both support for her qualifications and criticism over her recent legal and media controversies.