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Jacqueline C. Romero

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For the physicist, see Jacquiline Romero.

Jacqueline Romero
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
In office
June 21, 2022 – February 17, 2025
PresidentJoe Biden
Donald Trump
Preceded byBill McSwain
Succeeded byNelson Thayer (acting)
Personal details
Born1970 or 1971 (age 54–55)[1]
EducationCollege of New Jersey (BA)
Rutgers University (JD)

Jacqueline C. Romero (born 1970/1971) is an American lawyer who served as the United States attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania from 2022 to 2025.

Early life and education

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Romero is the granddaughter of Spanish immigrants.[1] She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of New Jersey in 1993 and a Juris Doctor from Rutgers Law School in 1996.[2][1]

Career

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Romero was an associate at Lowenstein Sandler from 1996 to 1998. From 1998 to 2000, she served as a trial attorney in the United States Department of Justice. From 2000 to 2006, she was senior counsel for the United States Mint. From 2006 to June 21, 2022, she served as assistant United States attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.[3][4][5]

United States attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

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On April 22, 2022, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Romero to serve as the United States attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.[2] On April 25, 2022, her nomination was sent to the Senate.[6] On June 9, 2022, her nomination was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee; Senators Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley and Marsha Blackburn were recorded as voting "Nay".[7]

On June 13, 2022, her nomination was unanimously confirmed in the United States Senate. She was sworn into office on June 21, 2022. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Romero is the first woman appointed by a president and confirmed by the Senate to hold the position of U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District, in addition, she is the first woman of color and first LGBTQIA+ person to become U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District.[8] Romero announced on February 17, 2025 that should would depart office. Her announcement came after President Donald Trump ordered the dismissal of all U.S. attorneys appointed by Biden.[9]

Allegations of retaliation and political misconduct

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In February 2024, Jacqueline C. Romero, then serving as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, became the subject of national media attention following allegations published by the New York Post that she had retaliated against a subordinate, Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Hines, a member of the federal prosecution team investigating Hunter Biden.[10]

In response, U.S. Senator Tom Cotton and Congressman Lloyd Smucker sent a formal request to the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ OIG) on June 18 2024, calling for an investigation into Romero’s conduct.[11] The letter cited possible violations of federal law, including obstruction of justice and the Hatch Act.

As of July 2025, no public update has been issued by the DOJ OIG regarding the initiation or outcome of an investigation. Inspector General proceedings are typically confidential.

Romero announced her resignation effective February 17, 2025 shortly after the allegations became public. Her departure aligned with the broader replacement of Biden-era U.S. Attorneys following the transition to the Trump administration.[12]


References

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  1. ^ a b c Tanenbaum, Michael (April 22, 2022). "Biden nominates Jacqueline C. Romero to be successor to Bill McSwain as U.S. Attorney in Philly". PhillyVoice. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "President Biden Announces Five New Nominees to Serve as U.S. Attorneys". The White House. April 22, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  3. ^ "Biden nominates Jacqueline C. Romero to be Philly's next U.S. Attorney". Al Día News. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  4. ^ Roebuck, Jeremy (April 22, 2022). "Biden's pick for Philly's next U.S. attorney is the first woman ever nominated for the role". inquirer.com. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  5. ^ "From a Jersey diner to the DOJ, Philly's new U.S. Attorney is unlike any the region has seen before". August 7, 2022.
  6. ^ "Nominations and Withdrawals Sent to the Senate" (Press release). Washington, D.C.: The White House. April 25, 2022. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  7. ^ "Results of Executive Business Meeting – June 9, 2022" (PDF). United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  8. ^ "Jacqueline C. Romero Sworn in as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania" (Press release). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. June 21, 2022. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  9. ^ Danailova, Hilary (February 19, 2025). "Exit interview: Jacqueline Romero". City & State Pennsylvania. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
  10. ^ Crane, Emily (February 6, 2024). "Philly US attorney with ties to Bidens accused of retaliating against Hunter prosecutor: 'Power trip'". New York Post.
  11. ^ "Republicans seek probe of Philly US attorney for alleged retaliation against Hunter Biden prosecutor". New York Post. June 20, 2024.
  12. ^ "Jacqueline Romero steps down as U.S. Attorney for Eastern District of Pennsylvania". Philadelphia Inquirer. February 17, 2025.
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