What Happened to Jeanine Ferris Pirro?
Jeanine Pirro is an American lawyer, former judge, prosecutor, and television personality who currently serves as the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, a position she assumed in May 2025. Prior to her federal appointment, Pirro was a prominent host and co-host on Fox News, known for her conservative commentary and staunch support of Donald Trump. Her tenure as U.S. Attorney has been marked by an aggressive 'law and order' stance and controversial investigations.
Quick Answer
Jeanine Pirro transitioned from a long career as a prosecutor and Fox News host to become the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia in May 2025, confirmed in August 2025. In this role, she has pursued a tough-on-crime agenda, advocated for trying juveniles as adults, and initiated a high-profile, politically charged investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. As of April 2026, her office has faced scrutiny for a lower-than-average trial win rate in federal district court, while she continues to be a vocal figure in the Trump administration's legal efforts.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Born in Elmira, New York
Jeanine Ferris Pirro was born in Elmira, New York.
Graduated Albany Law School
Pirro earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Albany Law School, graduating with distinction and serving as an editor of the Albany Law Review.
Elected Westchester County Court Judge
Pirro became the first woman elected as a judge of the Westchester County Court in New York.
Elected Westchester County District Attorney
She was elected as the first woman to serve as Westchester County District Attorney, a role she held for three terms.
Federal Wiretapping Investigation
Pirro was the subject of a federal investigation for alleged illegal wiretapping related to her then-husband's suspected affair, which impacted her political aspirations.
Launched 'Justice with Judge Jeanine'
Pirro began hosting her own show, 'Justice with Judge Jeanine,' on Fox News Channel, which ran until 2022.
Named in Smartmatic Defamation Lawsuit
Pirro was named as a defendant in a $2.7 billion defamation lawsuit by Smartmatic for broadcasting false claims about the 2020 election.
Became Co-Host of 'The Five'
Pirro joined 'The Five' as a permanent co-host, ending her 'Justice with Judge Jeanine' program.
Reinstated as Defendant in Smartmatic Lawsuit
An appeals court reinstated Pirro as a defendant in the Smartmatic defamation lawsuit after she was initially dismissed.
Appointed Interim US Attorney for D.C.
President Donald Trump named Jeanine Pirro as the interim United States Attorney for the District of Columbia. She left Fox News immediately.
Confirmed as US Attorney for D.C.
Pirro was confirmed by the Senate as the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia.
Served Subpoenas to Federal Reserve
Pirro's office served grand jury subpoenas to the Federal Reserve, initiating a criminal investigation related to Jerome Powell's testimony and building renovations.
Advocates for Trying Juveniles as Adults
Pirro publicly complained about laws preventing her from trying children as young as 12 as adults for violent crimes, stating, 'I can't get my hands on these kids. They're not kids. I misspoke.'
Judge Denies Motion to Revive Fed Subpoenas
US District Chief Judge James Boasberg upheld his earlier ruling to quash grand jury subpoenas issued by Pirro's office to the Federal Reserve, though Pirro vowed to appeal.
Office Reports Low Trial Win Rate
CNN reported that Pirro's office had an unusually low win rate of 50% in its first eight federal district court criminal trials in 2026, below the national average.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Jeanine Ferris Pirro, born on June 2, 1951, in Elmira, New York, established a formidable legal career before becoming a national media figure. After earning her J.D. from Albany Law School in 1975, she began as an Assistant District Attorney in Westchester County, New York. She made history in 1990 as the first woman elected to the Westchester County Court and again in 1993 as the first female Westchester County District Attorney, a position she held for three consecutive terms until 2005. During her time as DA, Pirro gained recognition for her focus on domestic abuse and crimes against the elderly, and she pioneered the nation's first domestic violence unit in a prosecutor's office.
Pirro's political aspirations extended to statewide office, including a brief bid for the U.S. Senate against Hillary Clinton in 2006, which she abandoned to run for New York Attorney General, ultimately losing to Andrew Cuomo. Her political career was also marked by a federal investigation in 2006 into alleged illegal wiretapping related to her then-husband's suspected affair, a scandal that garnered significant media attention.
In the late 2000s, Pirro transitioned into a prominent media career. She hosted 'Judge Jeanine Pirro' on The CW from 2008 to 2011, followed by 'Justice with Judge Jeanine' on Fox News Channel from 2011 to 2022. Known for her outspoken conservative views and strong support for Donald Trump, she became a co-host of Fox News' 'The Five' in 2022. During her media tenure, Pirro faced controversies, including a brief suspension from Fox News in 2019 for comments about Representative Ilhan Omar and being named as a defendant in a February 2021 defamation lawsuit by Smartmatic for broadcasting false claims about the 2020 presidential election.
A significant turning point came in May 2025 when President Donald Trump named Pirro as the interim United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, succeeding Ed Martin. She was sworn in on May 28, 2025, and confirmed to the full position by the Senate on August 2, 2025. This appointment marked her return to a high-profile legal role within the federal government.
As of April 2026, Pirro's tenure as U.S. Attorney for D.C. has been characterized by an aggressive 'law and order' approach, aligning with the Trump administration's agenda. She has publicly advocated for lowering the age of criminal responsibility to try juveniles as adults, stating, "I can't get my hands on these kids. They're not kids. I misspoke." Her office also served grand jury subpoenas to the Federal Reserve in January 2026, initiating a criminal investigation into alleged building-renovation cost overruns and congressional testimony by Chair Jerome Powell, a move that has been seen as politically motivated. Despite her assertive stance, her office has experienced an unusually low win rate in federal district court trials in early 2026, winning only half of its first eight criminal trials, a statistic below the national average. Pirro, however, maintains pride in her office's overall conviction rate, including guilty pleas.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Jeanine Ferris Pirro made different choices?