US Attorney Pirro

Jeanine Pirro Cracks Down on Illegal Immigration in D.C.: “We’re Cutting the Red Tape”

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, newly appointed for the District of Columbia, released a bold new video statement aligning her office with President Donald Trump’s directive to "Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful." In the video, Pirro emphasized her commitment to restoring law and order in the nation’s capital by cracking down on illegal immigration and pushing back against D.C.’s longstanding sanctuary city policies.

“In line with President Trump’s directive to ‘Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful,’ my office will determine every defendant’s legal status as soon as a matter is brought here,” Pirro declared. “I am cutting the red tape and pushing back against the sanctuary city status of D.C. so that we can protect the hard-working citizens of our nation’s capital.”

The statement signals a dramatic shift in how criminal cases involving undocumented immigrants will be handled in Washington, D.C. Pirro vowed that under her leadership, there will be no tolerance for illegal immigrants who become entangled in the criminal justice system.

“No longer will illegals be found burrowing in our cases in the criminal justice system,” she added, using language that critics are already calling controversial but supporters say reflects a renewed focus on accountability and law enforcement.

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A Shift in Policy

Washington, D.C. has long been considered a sanctuary city, offering certain protections to undocumented residents and refusing full cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Pirro’s declaration could place her office at odds with the city’s local leadership, including Mayor Muriel Bowser, who has defended sanctuary policies as vital to community trust and public safety.

Pirro’s video did not outline specific mechanisms for how her office will verify legal status or coordinate with federal agencies like ICE or CBP, but she signaled that immigration enforcement would now be a top priority.

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Political Context

Pirro, a longtime ally of Donald Trump and former judge and TV host, was appointed U.S. Attorney for D.C. following the president’s re-election. Her appointment drew both praise and criticism, with supporters seeing her as a strong legal voice and critics warning of politicized prosecutions.

Her messaging mirrors the Trump administration’s broader push to reassert federal authority over local jurisdictions seen as lenient on immigration. The "Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful" directive appears to be part of a broader law-and-order initiative being rolled out in major cities with high crime and growing concerns over migrant populations.

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Public Reaction

Reactions to Pirro’s announcement have been sharply divided. Conservative groups and Trump supporters applauded the tough stance, calling it a long-overdue effort to “drain the swamp” of D.C.’s legal system.

Meanwhile, immigrant rights advocates and progressive politicians condemned the language used in the video, accusing Pirro of stigmatizing undocumented communities and fanning anti-immigrant sentiment.

The ACLU released a statement saying, “Criminalizing immigrants does nothing to make our cities safer. What we need is due process and humane policies, not fearmongering.”

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What Comes Next

Pirro’s announcement is expected to be followed by a series of policy memos and operational changes within the U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C. Legal experts say the initiative could lead to increased federal prosecutions, immigration holds, and fast-tracked removals for non-citizens charged with crimes.

While the full impact remains to be seen, one thing is clear: Jeanine Pirro is bringing a hardline approach to the District of Columbia, and the political and legal battles ahead are likely to be fierce.

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Tags: Jeanine Pirro, Donald Trump, D.C. Crime, Immigration, U.S. Attorney, Sanctuary Cities, Illegal Immigration, Washington D.C. News

In line with President Trump’s directive to “Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful,” my office will determine every defendant’s legal status as soon as a matter is brought here.

I am cutting the red tape and pushing back against the sanctuary city status of D.C. so that we can protect… pic.twitter.com/rGqOVKbEwu

— US Attorney Pirro (@USAttyPirro) July 28, 2025