PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Jacqueline Romero, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, announced her immediate resignation on Monday, as the Trump administration works to find its choice for the region’s top law enforcer.
Romero was with the office for two decades. She was sworn into that role in June 2022 under then-President Joe Biden — the first woman to lead that office.
In a news release, Romero touted her tenure tackling fraudsters, child predators and violent offenders, and she said she is proud of the office’s community outreach efforts.
The process for choosing the next U.S. attorney will now get underway. Candidates will submit their applications to Pennsylvania U.S. Sens. Dave McCormick and John Fetterman — a Republican and Democrat, respectively. The pair will make a recommendation to President Donald Trump, who will then appoint the next U.S. attorney.
Another longtime federal prosecutor, Nelson S.T. Thayer, Jr., will serve as acting U.S. attorney for the time being.
Romero is among a number of U.S. attorneys across the country who were fired or resigned since Trump took office. Traditionally, U.S. attorneys resign at the start of a new presidential administration. However, several high-ranking Justice Department officials — including Manhattan’s top federal prosecutor, Republican Danielle Sassoon — resigned in protest of the Trump administration’s request to dismiss corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.