The Senate on Saturday confirmed Jeanine Pirro, President Donald Trump’s nominee to serve as U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., as lawmakers remained deadlocked over dozens of other pending appointments.
Pirro, a former judge and Fox News host, had been serving in the role on an interim basis since May. Her confirmation was part of a broader push by Senate Republicans to move forward with the president’s stalled nominees, more than 150 of whom remain in limbo due to a Democratic blockade. Despite efforts to reach a deal, senators ultimately confirmed only seven nominees before adjourning for the August recess.
Pirro secured confirmation in a 50-45 vote, officially assuming the post she’s held temporarily for the past several months.
Before her stint in Washington, Pirro served over a decade as the District Attorney in Westchester County, New York. She was previously a judge there in the early 1990s.
“Jeanine is incredibly well-qualified for this position, and is considered one of the Top District Attorneys in the History of the State of New York,” President Trump said upon nominating her. “She is in a class by herself.”
Pirro was not Trump’s original pick for the D.C. post. His first nominee, Ed Martin, failed to win over enough Republicans earlier this year. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., opposed Martin’s nomination due to concerns over his stance on the January 6 Capitol riot.
Pirro’s path to confirmation also met resistance.
Senate Democrats objected to her nomination, citing her promotion of Trump’s election fraud claims and her defense of him following the January 6 events during her time on Fox News. They argued she would serve Trump’s interests over impartial justice.
During her Senate Judiciary Committee hearing last month, Democrats walked out in protest of both Pirro and U.S. District Judge Emil Bove, who was narrowly confirmed earlier in the week. Pirro’s nomination advanced out of committee along party lines.
“She’s an election denialist, recklessly peddling President Trump’s Big Lie despite even her own Fox News producers and executives warning her to reel it in,” said Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee.
