Context:

US President Donald Trump has appointed Jeanine Pirro, a Fox News host and former New York prosecutor, as the interim US attorney for Washington DC. This decision followed the withdrawal of Trump's initial nominee due to a lack of Senate support, and Pirro's controversial history includes making false election claims leading to a costly lawsuit settlement. Trump, in his announcement, praised Pirro's career as a district attorney and judge, as well as her television roles, while not specifying if her position would be permanent. Pirro succeeds Ed Martin, who faced opposition from key Republican Senator Thom Tillis due to his stance on the January 6 Capitol riots. Martin, a critic of the Capitol riot investigation, has been reassigned to a different role within the Justice Department.

Dive Deeper:

• Jeanine Pirro, a close ally of Trump, has been appointed as the interim US attorney for Washington DC, following the withdrawal of Trump's first nominee who lost Senate support. Pirro is known for her television role and previous experience as a district attorney and judge.

• Pirro's appointment comes after a notable lawsuit against Fox News, involving her false claims about the 2020 election, which resulted in a settlement exceeding $787 million. Despite the controversy, Trump praised her as a strong advocate for crime victims.

• The appointment replaces Ed Martin, whose confirmation faced opposition from Republican Senator Thom Tillis due to Martin's controversial views on the January 6 Capitol riots. Tillis emphasized his zero tolerance for those involved in the riots.

• Martin had been criticized for his actions as interim US attorney, including firing prosecutors handling cases related to the Capitol riots. He will remain at the Justice Department, now leading the 'weaponization working group'.

• Trump's decision to pardon individuals involved in the January 6 riots and his broader legal maneuvers reflect ongoing contentious political dynamics, as seen in his appointments and legal interventions.