Peter Navarro Demands Removal of Prosecutor from Jeanine Pirro’s Office Amid Contempt Case
White House adviser Peter Navarro demands U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro remove prosecutor involved in his contempt case.
Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America/Wikimedia Commons
Peter Navarro, former White House trade adviser, has publicly called on U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro to remove an Assistant U.S. Attorney involved in his prosecution for contempt of Congress. The demand comes amid growing political tension around Pirro’s office as it faces scrutiny over other high-profile cases, including a potential contempt referral against former COVID adviser Anthony Fauci.
Navarro’s Public Call for Prosecutor Removal
During a Monday appearance on Steve Bannon’s War Room podcast, Peter Navarro expressed intense frustration with Jeanine Pirro for not firing Assistant U.S. Attorney John Crabb. Crabb played a key role in prosecuting both Navarro and Bannon for defying congressional subpoenas related to the House investigation of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Navarro cited Crabb’s involvement in their convictions and prison sentences as his primary grievance, urging Pirro to remove him from the Justice Department.
Video clips of Navarro’s tirade have circulated widely online, highlighting his pointed criticism of Pirro’s refusal to act. Pirro’s office declined to comment on Navarro’s demand when contacted by Newsweek.
Background on Jeanine Pirro’s Role and Controversies
Jeanine Pirro, a former Fox News host and judge, was appointed interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia in May 2025 by then-President Donald Trump, who later confirmed her Senate appointment in August 2025. Her tenure has been marked by controversy, notably after her office dropped charges in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool case, citing flawed renovations rather than vandalism as the cause of damage. This decision drew sharp public criticism from Trump, who accused Pirro of ‘folding like an umbrella.’
Despite her close ties to Trump, Pirro now faces pressure from various corners, including former White House allies turned critics like Navarro.
Potential Prosecution of Anthony Fauci Adds Political Pressure
Adding to the complexities confronting Pirro is the recent Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee vote to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress. Fauci, the government’s former COVID-19 adviser, invoked the Fifth Amendment over 100 times during testimony regarding the federal pandemic response. Republican Senator Rand Paul has indicated plans to push for a criminal referral, which could ultimately land on Pirro’s desk for prosecution.
The controversy has intensified following the release of Fauci’s pandemic-era government-issued cellphone records, including tens of thousands of text messages and hundreds of voicemails. These materials are anticipated to fuel ongoing investigations and political debates over the handling of the COVID-19 crisis.
Fauci’s legal team has decried the contempt vote as a partisan maneuver, while Trump publicly suggested Fauci should face prosecution similar to that of Navarro and Bannon.
Impact on Justice Department and Political Landscape
The demand from Navarro and the Fauci contempt case put Jeanine Pirro’s office in a delicate position amid a polarized political environment. Her handling of prosecutions involving politically charged figures will likely draw increasing scrutiny from both supporters and detractors. The Justice Department’s decisions in these matters have significant implications for perceptions of impartiality and the rule of law.
Observers note that Pirro’s connections to Trump and her public rebukes from former allies underscore the challenges she faces in maintaining credibility and authority as U.S. Attorney.
What’s Next for Pirro and the Prosecutor in Question
At present, there is no indication that Pirro intends to remove John Crabb despite Navarro’s demands. The controversy highlights the tensions within the Justice Department as it balances politically sensitive prosecutions with internal personnel decisions. Meanwhile, the potential prosecution of Fauci remains a high-stakes issue that could further complicate Pirro’s tenure.
As these developments unfold, attention will remain fixed on Pirro’s next moves and the Justice Department’s approach to handling these politically charged cases.
Pressure on Jeanine Pirro continues to mount from multiple fronts, challenging her leadership and the Justice Department’s impartiality in prosecuting high-profile cases linked to former White House officials and pandemic investigations.
