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, author, and the interim United States attorney for the District of Columbia (since May 2025). Prior to her media career, Pirro served as a judge, prosecutor, and politician in New York, establishing a notable career in law and government before transitioning to television.

Sections (6)

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

1988: Albert Pirro's tax evasion

Between 1988 and 1997, Albert Pirro hid over $1 million in personal income as business expenses.

1997: Albert Pirro's tax evasion

Between 1988 and 1997, Albert Pirro hid over $1 million in personal income as business expenses.

February 23, 1999: Pirro's husband indicted on multiple charges

On February 23, 1999, Pirro's husband, Albert Pirro, was indicted on multiple charges including conspiracy and tax evasion for hiding over $1 million in income.

June 23, 2000: Pirro's husband found guilty

On June 23, 2000, a jury found Jeanine Pirro's husband guilty of 23 of the charges brought against him and not guilty of 10 others and he was sentenced to prison.

2009: Pirro claims Obama released ISIL leader

In 2009, according to Pirro, President Obama released ISIL leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, which was false.

2012: Benghazi attack

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

2014: Pirro calls for Obama's impeachment

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

2014: Pirro claims Obama released ISIL leader

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

2016: Russian interference in the 2016 election

In July 2018, after Trump was criticized for refusing to condemn Russian interference in the 2016 election while standing onstage with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Pirro defended Trump.

November 2017: Pirro charged with speeding

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

2017: Pirro calls for the arrest of individuals involved in Mueller's investigation

In 2017, Pirro called for the arrest of individuals cooperating with special counsel Robert S. Mueller III's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election in favor of Trump.

February 2018: False Assertion in Book

In February 2018, Jeanine Pirro's book "Liars, Leakers, and Liberals: The Case Against the Anti-Trump Conspiracy" falsely asserted that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein had announced the Russia collusion investigation was over.

Liars, Leakers, and Liberals: The Case Against the Anti-Trump Conspiracy

Check it on Amazon

February 2018: Pirro blames Obama's policies for Trump officials' domestic abuse scandals

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

May 2018: Pirro says Trump fulfilled a 'biblical prophecy'

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

June 2018: Pirro defends Trump's pardon of Dinesh D'Souza

In June 2018, Pirro said Trump's pardon of conservative activist Dinesh D'Souza, who was convicted of "illegal campaign contributions", was "fantastic news".

July 2018: Pirro defends Trump's stance on Russian interference

In July 2018, after Trump received widespread criticism for not condemning Russian interference in the 2016 election while standing with Vladimir Putin, Pirro defended Trump by questioning what else he could have done.

March 2019: Pirro Criticizes Ilhan Omar

In March 2019, on her show Justice with Judge Jeanine Pirro criticized Rep. Ilhan Omar for questioning the loyalty of American Jews to the US.

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March 16, 2019: Fox News Doesn't Air Pirro's Show

On March 16, 2019, Fox News decided not to air her show, replacing it with a rebroadcast of a Scandalous episode in its time slot.

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February 2020: Pirro predicts Democrats will lose House majority due to impeachment

In February 2020, Pirro predicted that the impeachment of Donald Trump would be so unpopular that Democrats would lose their majority in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2020 elections, a prediction later deemed spectacularly incorrect by Politico.

March 2020: Pirro hosts show from home amid speculations of inebriation

In March 2020, Jeanine Pirro hosted her show from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic and she appeared disheveled and slurring her speech, which caused speculation that she was inebriated.

December 2020: Smartmatic demands retractions from Fox News

In December 2020, Smartmatic sent Fox News a letter demanding retractions due to baseless allegations of voting machine fraud promoted by Pirro, Lou Dobbs, and Maria Bartiromo.

2020: False Claims and New Book

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

January 20, 2021: Albert Pirro pardoned by President Trump

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

February 4, 2021: Smartmatic files defamation lawsuit against Fox Corporation

On February 4, 2021, Jeanine Pirro was named in a $2.7 billion defamation lawsuit filed by Smartmatic against Fox Corporation, alleging that Fox News' disinformation campaign had a direct and harmful impact on Smartmatic's business.

February 2021: Defamation Lawsuit

In February 2021, Jeanine Pirro was named as a defendant in a defamation lawsuit by Smartmatic and was also involved in the Dominion Voting Systems v. Fox News Network defamation lawsuit.