Fox News Calls Jeanine Pirro’s Absence "Internal Scheduling Matter" After Hijab Remarks

The sudden rescheduling arrives amid Pirro receiving backlash for her controversial comments about Muslim Congresswoman IIhan Omar.

Jeanine Pirro’s weekly Fox News Channel Program Justice With Judge Jeanine did not air Saturday night as regularly scheduled amid the host’s controversial comments about Muslim Congresswoman Ilhan Omar.

Despite the show having a usual broadcast slot of 9 p.m., Fox instead re-aired the documentary Scandalous: The Trial of William Kennedy Smith, according to the programming schedule listed on the network’s website.

Fox News did not provide a reason behind Pirro's show being pulled; a spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter that the network is "not commenting on internal scheduling matters."

Pirro, who hosts the Saturday night show, had drawn backlash for her comments that Rep. Omar (D-MN) is "Sharia-compliant" and has practiced "Sharia-adherence behavior" by wearing a hijab. "Is her adherence to this Islamic doctrine indicative of her adherence to Sharia law, which is antithetical to the U.S. Constitution?" Pirro had asked.

After receiving backlash, Pirro attempted to defend her statement, saying that she “did not call Rep. Omar un-American.” "My intention was to ask a question and start a debate, but of course because one is Muslim does not mean you don’t support the Constitution," she said. She also invited Rep. Omar to be a guest on her show to "discuss all of the important issues facing America today."

In an attempt to ease the situation, Fox News spoke out to condemn Pirro’s comments, telling THR, "They do not reflect those of the network and we have addressed the matter with her directly.”

President Donald Trump noticed the absence of Pirro's show and called on Fox News to reinstate her show via Twitter.

“Bring back @JudgeJeanine Pirro," Trump tweeted early Sunday. "The Radical Left Democrats, working closely with their beloved partner, the Fake News Media, is using every trick in the book to SILENCE a majority of our Country. They have all out campaigns against @FoxNews hosts who are doing too well."

He added, "Fox must stay strong and fight back with vigor. Stop working soooo hard on being politically correct, which will only bring you down, and continue to fight for our Country. The losers all want what you have, don’t give it to them. Be strong & prosper, be weak & die! Stay true…."

Pirro's Saturday night show also recently lost at least four corporate advertisers in the wake of her comments.

After facing multiple sexual harassment claims in 2017, Fox News cut ties with longtime anchor Bill O'Reilly, resulting in The O’Reilly Factor being pulled off the air. Prior to its cancellation, the anchor’s show had also lost a number of advertisers.

March 17, 7:42 a.m. Updated with Trump's tweet calling on Fox News to restore Pirro's show.