Home · Politics · Oct 26 archive

Judge Rules Trump Admin Illegally Fired Comey's Daughter

1:15 PM ETConfirmed

Politics Desk

In Short: A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration illegally fired Maurene Comey, daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, from her role as a federal prosecutor.

U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman ruled Monday that the Justice Department unlawfully fired Maurene Comey from her post as a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York.

Comey had served as a federal prosecutor since 2015, handling high-profile cases against figures such as Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and former Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez.

In a letter to her former colleagues, Comey said she was 'summarily fired via memo' by the Justice Department's headquarters in Washington, without a given reason.

Judge Furman found Comey's firing violated the Civil Service Reform Act, a 1978 law that provides protections for federal workers.

The judge retroactively reinstated Comey to her role and ordered the Trump administration to provide her back pay from the date of her firing in July 2025 through December 20, when she accepted a different job.

Furman rejected the government’s claim that Comey could be fired because federal prosecutors exercise the president’s 'conclusive and preclusive' powers.

The judge noted Comey’s dismissal was viewed as particularly personal due to her father's long-standing conflict with Trump.

Comey’s team has argued that the case against her father is a product of Trump’s retribution campaign rather than a good faith application of federal law.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department said DOJ 'disagrees with this decision and will appeal in due course.'

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• "Indeed, to accept Defendants' argument would be to unsettle the very equilibrium established by this Nation's constitutional system," Furman wrote.
• She asserted that she was fired because she was the daughter of James Comey, whom President Donald Trump has long viewed as an enemy, or because of her perceived political affiliation and beliefs, the judge noted.
• The president fired James Comey as FBI director in May 2017 as the bureau was investigating ties between Russia and the Republican’s successful 2016 campaign for the White House.
• Furman rejected the government’s claim that Comey could be fired because federal prosecutors exercise the president’s “conclusive and preclusive” powers.
• NEW YORK (AP) — The Trump administration last year illegally fired Maurene Comey, the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, from her job as a federal prosecutor in New York, a federal judge ruled Monday.

What's still developing

• The seashells case has been delayed until at least early 2027 as a judge weighs whether to dismiss it.
• Attorney Maurene Comey is outside court during the Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial, June 3, 2025.
• The judge granted Comey retroactive reinstatement and back pay from the date of her firing through Dec. 20 The judge granted Comey retroactive reinstatement and back pay from the date of her firing through Dec. 20 Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later?
• "the highest accolades from supervisors and peers alike."
• The president removed James Comey from his post as FBI director in May 2017 while the agency investigated potential links between Russia and the Republican's victorious 2016 campaign.
• The firing violated the separation of powers, the Administrative Procedure Act and her Fifth Amendment due process and statutory rights, the judge ruled.
• The Justice Department during the Trump administration has fired scores of career employees, including prosecutors and FBI agents, who participated in investigations of President Donald Trump or who were perceived as opposed to the administration’s agenda.
• “This hard-earned victory belongs to Ms. Comey, to all civil servants, and to all fighting for the rule of law,” they said in a statement.
• “There are enormous numbers of people in the same situation as me but who aren’t privileged and who find themselves living on the streets and in squats, and frankly, it’s very tough,” she said.
• Near the march’s end point at Porte de Vincennes, some demonstrators threw bottles and rocks at police, who then charged at the crowd, fired tear gas and used water cannons.

Sources

• CBS Newslink
• CHAT News Todaylink
• NBC Newslink
• Ottumwa Courierlink
• The Independentlink
• WLKYlink
• NBC Newslink
• WarpBeat — background on Trump admin. announces enforcement actions against over 40 defendants accused of nearly $42M in SNAP fraud link
• WarpBeat — background on Long after Musk and DOGE left, Trump admin still cleaning up USAID fraud and abuse link
• NBC News — video link