Jeanine Pirro Appointed D.C. Prosecutor: Fox News Erupts From Within

Washington, D.C. – Former President Donald J. Trump’s appointment of Jeanine Pirro—a longtime conservative TV personality and co-host of Fox News’ “The Five”—as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia has ignited fierce debate. But the firestorm isn’t limited to Washington politics. The epicenter of the backlash is right inside the Fox News studio, where her colleagues have turned from co-hosts to public skeptics.

Trump appoints Fox News host Jeanine Pirro for interim U.S. attorney for D.C. – The Washington Post

Greg Gutfeld: “We’ve put the TV studio in the courtroom”

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Greg Gutfeld didn’t hold back. During a live segment of “The Five”, he bluntly stated:

“Appointing Jeanine Pirro wasn’t about justice—it was about extending a TV show with federal authority.”

His criticism, which raised eyebrows across the network, reflects growing concern that Trump loyalists from the media are being installed into positions of federal legal power, eroding the perception of impartial justice.

Gutfeld added:

“If prosecutors become TV stars and justice becomes late-night talk, we should ask: are we running a legal system or producing The West Wing: Reality Edition?”

Jesse Watters fires back: “Jealousy isn’t an argument”

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Watters, a staunch Trump supporter and Pirro’s close ally on the panel, immediately retaliated, accusing Gutfeld of personal bias:

“Greg, it sounds like you’re just jealous you weren’t picked. Jeanine has both the career and the courage—two things not everyone at this table can claim.”

He defended Pirro’s credentials, stating her courtroom experience and legal background are being unfairly overshadowed by her media presence.

The on-air tension reached such a boiling point that producers abruptly cut to commercial—a move almost unheard of in the show’s five-year history.

Dana Perino: “This is a blatant political transaction”
Who Is Dana Perino? Bio, Photos of Fox News Host, Bush Press Secretary – Business Insider

In the midst of the conflict, Dana Perino—the panel’s traditionally moderate voice and former White House Press Secretary—offered a more systemic critique:

“The question isn’t whether Jeanine is competent—it’s whether the justice system can retain public trust when someone with a hyper-partisan media presence is handed prosecutorial power in one of the most politically sensitive districts in the country.”

Perino emphasized the need for transparency and neutrality in judicial appointments, especially when public perception is at stake.

Fox News fracture: Unity was a performance
Reference photo

Sources inside Fox News confirm the disagreement is more than just on-air drama. According to internal leaks, the “friendly tension” among the hosts has now solidified into distinct factions. One producer revealed:

“Jesse won’t speak to Greg off-camera. Dana now insists on pre-approved talking points. The green room’s colder than the studio.”

Fox News has declined to comment on the apparent division, but long-time viewers have noted the palpable shift in the show’s tone—fewer laughs, more interruptions, and tension that cuts through the screen.

Public reaction: Warrior for justice or symbol of politicized law?
Trump appoints Fox News host Jeanine Pirro as top prosecutor in DC – ABC News

Social media is ablaze with hashtags like #TeamJeanine and #NotMyProsecutor, reflecting a deeply divided viewership. Supporters praise Pirro as a “last stand against the deep state,” while critics label her “Trump’s legal puppet” and question the legality of her appointment.

A The Atlantic analysis asked pointedly:

“Will Pirro prosecute Trump allies if required? Or has justice now become a selective weapon against political enemies?”

Justice or a casting call?
The fallout at Fox News is no longer about differing opinions—it’s a symptom of a media ecosystem torn between informing the public and participating in power plays. As TV personalities become political operatives, and news programs turn into ideological trenches, the real question is no longer who’s right—but who’s still credible?

Jeanine Pirro may now sit in the prosecutor’s chair. But if those who worked alongside her question her impartiality—why wouldn’t the public?