Jeanine Pirro's Fox News program "Justice With Judge Jeanine" is back on the network's Saturday night schedule after a two-week suspension over her controversial remarks about Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar.

Pirro's top-rated program returns to Fox's schedule in its regular 9 p.m. slot, a network representative confirmed to Newsmax.

The network's documentary series "Scandalous" ran in its place the past two weeks after Pirro's March 9 episode, in which she questioned Omar's patriotism because she wore a hijab — a Muslim headdress.

Fox News officials have declined to comment on why "Judge Jeanine" was not aired for the past two weeks. A spokeswoman told Newsmax Monday that "we have no further comment beyond our original statement."

The network's silence raised questions about Pirro's future with the network and Fox's political direction.

Fox initially responded to queries about Pirro's absence by saying "we are not commenting on internal scheduling matters."

Conservatives slammed Fox for snatching "Judge Jeanine" off the air without explanation and pointed to the announcement from former Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Donna Brazile that she had joined the network as evidence of Fox shifting priorities.

Pirro, 67, a former county prosecutor and judge is New York, is a strong supporter of President Donald Trump. News reports had speculated that "Judge Jeanine" would return to the air on Saturday.

Trump himself took to Twitter to call for Pirro's return after the first week the program did not appear on the air.

"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," he said in a March 17 tweetstorm. "They have all out campaigns against @FoxNews hosts who are doing too well."

In her "opening statement" on the March 9 program, Pirro posed: "Is her adherence to this Islamic doctrine [of women wearing hijabs] indicative of her adherence to Sharia law, which in itself is antithetical to the United States Constitution?"

Fox immediately condemned Pirro's remarks, saying the following day that they "do not reflect those of the network and we have addressed the matter with her directly."

But Fox has not indicated whether Pirro's removal stemmed from the Omar comments.

In her March 10 statement, Pirro said: "I've seen a lot of comments about my opening statement from Saturday night’s show and I 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 continued.

"I invite Rep. Omar to come on my show any time to discuss all of the important issues facing America today."

Omar praised Fox for rebuking Pirro, saying on Twitter: "Thank you, @FoxNews. No one’s commitment to our Constitution should be questioned because of their faith or country of birth."

The network also was bashed by the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation's largest Muslim civil-rights organization, which called for a boycott this month of Fox News.

In addition, at least four sponsors, including personal finance website NerdWallet, had pulled their spots from Pirro's show, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Fox's decision to return Pirro to its Saturday schedule was welcomed by conservatives Friday but not without criticism.

"It's a shame in this society that a former prosecutor and judge and celebrated journalist cannot tell the truth without being punished or persecuted," former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik told Newsmax.

"I along with millions of others are glad to see her back."

Stacy Washington, whose radio talk show is based in St. Louis, called Pirro's question "logical" and questioned why Omar "continues to spread anti-Semitic tropes?

"Why are her statements condoned by Democrats?" she asked Newsmax.

"I, too, extend an invitation to Rep. Omar to discuss her views on-air," Washington said. "Answer our questions and be understood whatever her true feelings may be. 

"Until then, her statements stand on their own and paint her and the Democrats in a very unflattering light."

https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/pirro-judge-jeanine-fox-news-return/2019/03/29/id/909317/