Maurene Comey, daughter of former FBI Director James B. Comey and a former federal prosecutor, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice, alleging that her dismissal in July 2025 was politically motivated and unlawful. She claims she was fired “solely or substantially because her father is former FBI Director James B. Comey, or because of her perceived political affiliation and beliefs, or both.”
Comey served in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York since 2015 and became an Assistant U.S. Attorney in 2016. During her nearly decade-long career, she handled high-profile cases, including prosecutions against Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. Her work had earned high performance ratings, and she had recently been asked to lead a public corruption case prior to her dismissal.
On July 16, 2025, Comey received notice from the DOJ that her employment was terminated, citing constitutional authority and federal law but offering no detailed explanation. When she requested clarification, she was informed that the decision originated from Washington. In her lawsuit, she argues that her firing violated constitutional protections and civil service rules, seeking reinstatement, back pay, and a declaration that the dismissal was illegal.
The lawsuit draws attention to her father, James B. Comey, who served as FBI Director from 2013 until his dismissal by President Donald Trump in 2017. James Comey has been a prominent critic of Trump, and the complaint suggests that Maurene Comey’s removal may be connected to her family ties as well as perceived political beliefs.
The Justice Department has declined to comment. Legal experts say the case could have significant implications for how far a president can remove career prosecutors under Article II powers while respecting civil service protections.
