Jeanine Pirro Eyeing Attorney General Role, CNN Reporter Says

Pirro's recent press conference seen as 'audition' for top Justice Department job, according to Paula Reid.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 5:38pm

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CNN's chief legal affairs correspondent Paula Reid speculated that former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro may be angling to become the next U.S. Attorney General, replacing the current AG Pam Bondi who is reportedly on 'thin ice' with the White House. Reid said Pirro's defiant press conference criticizing a judge's ruling to block subpoenas in a Federal Reserve investigation appeared to be an 'audition' for the top Justice Department job.

Why it matters

The potential shakeup at the Justice Department comes as President Trump has expressed frustration with prosecutors who have not been able to successfully prosecute his political adversaries. Pirro, a vocal Trump supporter, could be the type of 'prosecutor that President Trump wants to see in his Justice Department' according to Reid.

The details

Pirro, who has held roles as a district judge, TV judge, and Fox News host, gave an impassioned press conference after a judge blocked grand jury subpoenas her office had issued to investigate the Federal Reserve's renovation project and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's testimony about it. Pirro called the judge's decision 'outrageous' and said Powell was now 'bathed in immunity.' Reid said Pirro's combative performance seemed aimed at impressing Trump, who has grown frustrated with the Justice Department's inability to successfully prosecute his political foes.

  • On March 14, 2026, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ruled to block grand jury subpoenas issued by Pirro's office in an investigation of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
  • On March 6, 2026, Politico reported that many congressional Republicans have turned against current Attorney General Pam Bondi for her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.

The players

Jeanine Pirro

A former district judge who has also worked as a TV judge and Fox News host. Pirro recently gave a defiant press conference criticizing a judge's ruling to block subpoenas her office had issued in an investigation of the Federal Reserve.

Paula Reid

CNN's chief legal affairs correspondent, who speculated that Pirro may be angling to become the next U.S. Attorney General, replacing the current AG Pam Bondi.

Pam Bondi

The current U.S. Attorney General, who is reportedly on 'thin ice' with the White House and with President Trump according to Reid.

Jerome Powell

The Chair of the Federal Reserve, whose testimony about the Fed's renovation project was the subject of the subpoenas issued by Pirro's office.

James Boasberg

The U.S. District Judge who ruled to block the grand jury subpoenas issued by Pirro's office in the investigation of the Federal Reserve.

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What they’re saying

“Here, you saw [Pirro] come out defiant, scolding reporters for asking some very reasonable questions. And that is the kind of prosecutor that President Trump wants to see in his Justice Department.”

— Paula Reid, CNN Chief Legal Affairs Correspondent

“Jerome Powell today is now bathed in immunity, preventing my office from investigating the Federal Reserve. This is wrong, and it is without legal authority.”

— Jeanine Pirro

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on whether to allow Pirro's office to continue its investigation of the Federal Reserve and Jerome Powell's testimony.

The takeaway

Pirro's combative performance and criticism of the judge's ruling blocking her office's subpoenas suggests she may be positioning herself to replace the current Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is reportedly on shaky ground with the White House. This potential shakeup at the Justice Department comes as President Trump continues to express frustration with prosecutors who have failed to successfully prosecute his political adversaries.