Trump ‘illegally’ fired James Comey’s daughter Maurene who led Epstein and Diddy prosecutions, judge finds in bombshell ruling
Developing story first seen 2 hours ago
A federal judge ruled that the Justice Department unlawfully fired Maurene Comey, a New York federal prosecutor and daughter of former FBI director James Comey. The decision found her dismissal unconstitutional and ordered her reinstated, with back pay, marking a legal setback for the department.
Comey was dismissed in July after about a decade as an assistant US attorney for the Southern District of New York. She had overseen high-profile prosecutions involving Jeffrey Epstein, Sean “Diddy” Combs and former Senator Robert Menendez. The judge ordered retroactive reinstatement and back pay from 20 December 2025.
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In short
- Judge rules Maurene Comey’s firing was unlawful.
- She is to be reinstated with back pay.
- Comey worked on several high-profile prosecutions.
How this story developed
- 12 minutes ago A federal judge ruled that the Justice Department unlawfully fired Maurene Comey, a New York federal prosecutor and daughter of former FBI director James Comey. The decision found her dismissal unconstitutional and ordered her reinstated, with back pay, marking a legal setback for the department.
- Fox News Obama judge rules Trump DOJ illegally fired James Comey's daughter, rejects sweeping Article II claim
- Daily Mail Trump ‘illegally’ fired James Comey’s daughter Maurene who led Epstein and Diddy prosecutions, judge finds in bombshell ruling
- NPR Judge says DOJ illegally fired the daughter of former FBI director Comey
Where outlets differ
Left-leaning outlets 1
Only here: former, director
Right-leaning outlets 2
- Trump ‘illegally’ fired James Comey’s daughter Maurene who led Epstein and Diddy prosecutions, judge finds in bombshell rulingDaily Mail
- Obama judge rules Trump DOJ illegally fired James Comey's daughter, rejects sweeping Article II claimFox News
Only here: trump, james, maurene, epstein, diddy
Every side used: judge, illegally, fired, daughter, comey
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A judge found that the Justice Department unlawfully dismissed Comey and ordered her reinstated with back pay, supporting the view that prosecutors should be protected from politically motivated removal and that constitutional limits apply to executive action. Her long service and work on high-profile cases may strengthen the case for requiring a lawful, adequately justified basis for dismissal.
The case against
The executive branch can argue that it needs authority to manage the Justice Department and hold prosecutors accountable, including by replacing officials it no longer trusts to carry out its priorities. From this perspective, personnel decisions are part of democratic control over the department, provided they comply with the law; the ruling’s reinstatement order may be challenged through the legal process.
Explained simply
The US Justice Department prosecutes federal crimes, while federal judges decide whether government actions comply with the law and the Constitution. Assistant US attorneys are career prosecutors who handle cases in their district; the Southern District of New York covers Manhattan and several nearby areas.
Maurene Comey worked in that office for about a decade and was involved in several high-profile prosecutions, including cases concerning Jeffrey Epstein, Sean “Diddy” Combs and former senator Robert Menendez. Her father, James Comey, previously led the FBI, the federal agency that investigates many crimes before prosecutors bring charges.
The dispute raises questions about the limits on the president and Justice Department’s power over federal prosecutors, and how those limits are enforced by the courts. It also concerns the independence of career prosecutors who handle cases involving prominent people.
Coverage · 3 sources
Bias meters
From 3 rated sources.
- Daily MailRightTrump ‘illegally’ fired James Comey’s daughter Maurene who led Epstein and Diddy prosecutions, judge finds in bombshell ruling
- Fox NewsFar rightObama judge rules Trump DOJ illegally fired James Comey's daughter, rejects sweeping Article II claim
- NPRLeftJudge says DOJ illegally fired the daughter of former FBI director Comey