Major Controversies Surrounding Jeanine Pirro: A Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Jeanine Pirro.

Jeanine Pirro is an American television host, lawyer, and author. She is the current United States attorney for the District of Columbia, a role she assumed in May 2025. Prior to her national role, Pirro served as a judge, prosecutor, and politician in New York state. She is a prominent figure in media and law, known for her outspoken commentary and legal background.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1988: Tax Evasion

Between 1988 and 1997 Pirro's husband hid over $1 million in personal income as business expenses.

1990: False conviction of Jeffrey Deskovic

In 1990, during Jeanine Pirro's tenure as district attorney, Jeffrey Deskovic was falsely convicted of murder and spent 16 years in prison before being exonerated.

1997: Tax Evasion

Between 1988 and 1997 Pirro's husband hid over $1 million in personal income as business expenses.

February 23, 1999: Indictment of Pirro's Husband

On February 23, 1999, Jeanine Pirro's husband, Albert Pirro, was indicted on multiple counts of conspiracy, tax evasion, and filing a false tax return.

June 23, 2000: Conviction of Pirro's Husband

On June 23, 2000, Jeanine Pirro's husband was found guilty of 23 charges related to tax evasion and filing false tax returns. He served 17 months in prison.

2009: Pirro Claimed Obama Released ISIL Leader

In 2014, Pirro falsely claimed that ISIL leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was "released by Obama in 2009".

2012: Benghazi attack

In 2014, Pirro called for the impeachment of Barack Obama over the 2012 Benghazi attack.

2014: Call for Obama Impeachment

In 2014, Jeanine Pirro called for the impeachment of Barack Obama over the 2012 Benghazi attack.

2014: Pirro's Claim on Obama and al-Baghdadi

In 2014, Jeanine Pirro made the claim that ISIL leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was "released by Obama in 2009", although Baghdadi was held in custody until 2004 when he was released under the Bush administration.

2016: Russian Interference in the 2016 election

In 2016, Pirro's comments were part of a broader push by Trump's allies in the media to delegitimize the Mueller probe and other investigations into Trump and his administration.

November 2017: Charged with Speeding

In November 2017, Jeanine Pirro was charged with speeding for driving 119 miles per hour in upstate New York.

2017: Calls for Arrests in Mueller Investigation

In 2017, Jeanine Pirro called for the arrest of individuals who cooperated with special counsel Robert S. Mueller III's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election in favor of Trump. She also called for government agencies to be cleansed of critics of the president.

February 2018: False assertion in "Liars, Leakers, and Liberals"

In February 2018, Jeanine Pirro asserted in her book "Liars, Leakers, and Liberals" that Rod Rosenstein had announced that the Russia collusion investigation was over, which was found to be false.

February 2018: Blaming Obama for Domestic Abuse Scandals

In February 2018, after two senior Trump administration officials resigned due to domestic abuse allegations, Jeanine Pirro suggested that Barack Obama's policies were to blame for the two domestic abuse scandals.

May 2018: Trump and Biblical Prophecy

In May 2018, Jeanine Pirro stated that Donald Trump had "fulfilled" a "biblical prophecy" by moving the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

June 2018: Defense of Dinesh D'Souza Pardon and Criticism of Jeff Sessions

In June 2018, Jeanine Pirro supported Donald Trump's pardon of Dinesh D'Souza, who was convicted of illegal campaign contributions, believing he was targeted for his political views. She also referred to Attorney General Jeff Sessions as "the most dangerous man in America" on her show.

July 2018: Defense of Trump's Helsinki Performance

In July 2018, Jeanine Pirro defended Donald Trump after he was criticized for his performance in Helsinki with Vladimir Putin regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election, asking, "What was he supposed to do, take a gun out and shoot Putin?"

March 2019: Criticism of Ilhan Omar

In March 2019, Jeanine Pirro criticized Rep. Ilhan Omar for questioning the loyalty of American Jews, suggesting Omar's Muslim faith made her more loyal to Sharia law than the US Constitution. Fox News condemned Pirro's statement.

March 16, 2019: Fox News Pulls Pirro's Show

On March 16, 2019, Fox News decided not to air Jeanine Pirro's show, Justice with Judge Jeanine, replacing it with a rebroadcast of a Scandalous episode.

December 2020: Voting Machine Fraud Allegations

In December 2020, following the 2020 United States presidential election, Jeanine Pirro promoted baseless allegations on her program involving voting machine fraud. Smartmatic sent Fox News a letter demanding retractions.

2020: False claims of voting machine fraud

Following the 2020 presidential election, Jeanine Pirro made false claims of voting machine fraud.

January 20, 2021: Pardon of Albert Pirro by Donald Trump

On January 20, 2021, Albert Pirro, Jeanine Pirro's husband, was pardoned by President Donald Trump shortly before Trump left office.

February 4, 2021: Smartmatic Files Defamation Lawsuit

On February 4, 2021, Jeanine Pirro was named in the complaint "Smartmatic Files $2.7 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against Fox Corporation".

February 2021: Defamation lawsuit by Smartmatic

In February 2021, Jeanine Pirro was named as a defendant in a defamation lawsuit by Smartmatic for broadcasting false statements.

February 2021: Smartmatic Defamation Suit

In February 2021, Jeanine Pirro was named in a Smartmatic defamation suit.

March 2022: Dismissal from Smartmatic Lawsuit

In March 2022, a judge dismissed Jeanine Pirro from the Smartmatic defamation suit.

February 2023: Reinstatement in Smartmatic Lawsuit

In February 2023, an appeals court reinstated Jeanine Pirro as a defendant in the Smartmatic defamation suit.

January 9, 2026: Issuance of grand jury subpoenas to the Federal Reserve

On January 9, 2026, Jeanine Pirro's office served the Federal Reserve with grand jury subpoenas, related to Jerome Powell's testimony and a renovation project, leading to controversy and White House disapproval.