In a dramatic move that highlights her firm stance on crime, Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, has announced a major arrest in the Washington area. The 39-year-old man from Pasco, Washington, Taylor Taranto, was convicted on multiple charges following his livestreamed threats involving firearms and a fake bomb plot.

The Livestreamed Threats and Arrest

Taranto was found guilty by U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Nichols of illegally carrying two firearms without a license, unlawfully possessing ammunition, and spreading false information and hoaxes. The charges stemmed from an incident on June 28, 2023, when Taranto livestreamed a video while driving his van near National Harbor, Maryland. During the broadcast, he claimed to have been “working on a detonator” and suggested he would drive a car bomb into the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), targeting a neutron generator at the NIST grounds.

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This threat prompted immediate action from the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the Joint Terrorism Task Force, who began tracking Taranto’s movements. The threat, however, turned out to be a hoax, as police later found no bomb. Taranto continued to film his actions, showing his audience how he was able to create an illusion of an emergency, even driving through D.C.’s Kalorama neighborhood.

Finding Taranto and Discovering Weapons

After his second video, which revealed his location, the police tracked Taranto to Kalorama and arrested him. A search of his vehicle revealed two guns, several clips, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. These findings only compounded the charges against him and solidified the seriousness of the threats he had made.

The case brought attention to Pirro’s office and her handling of such significant criminal matters. Pirro’s swift actions in both announcing this arrest and earlier criminal charges reflect her commitment to addressing rising crime in the D.C. area.

Previous High-Profile Announcements Under Pirro

Jeanine Pirro’s tenure as Interim U.S. Attorney has already made waves. Earlier this week, she announced the sentencing of two men, Rasheed Mullins and Josiah Warfield, who were involved in a drive-by shooting near an elementary school in D.C. Both men were sentenced to over seven years in federal prison following guilty pleas for assault with intent to murder while armed.

Pirro’s office has also made headlines for bringing charges against Te’Vaughn Brown, 20, for felony assault on a senior individual prior to a Nationals baseball game in 2023. Brown’s trial is scheduled for July 14, 2025.

Political Reactions to Pirro’s Appointment

While Pirro’s actions have been lauded by law enforcement and conservative circles, her appointment as interim U.S. Attorney has sparked controversy. Democratic lawmakers have questioned the legality and process of her appointment, particularly the lack of Senate input. Principal Deputy Press Secretary Harris Fields defended the appointment, citing it as consistent with the law and advice from the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel.

President Trump has reiterated his commitment to making D.C. a safer place, highlighting a decrease in crime statistics for the city. According to Metropolitan Police data, crimes like robberies, killings, and assaults with a dangerous weapon have seen significant drops this year, which the administration attributes to focused efforts on crime prevention.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Pirro?

The White House has yet to announce whether President Trump will seek Senate approval to make Pirro’s position permanent after her 120-day interim term. However, her actions in these early days as U.S. Attorney have certainly set the tone for the direction in which she plans to take the District of Columbia’s legal landscape.

As the city continues to face challenges in crime control, Pirro’s role will undoubtedly be under the microscope, with her future decisions shaping the ongoing narrative around public safety and legal reform in Washington, D.C.