In brief
In a landmark decision, Judge Jesse Furman declared that the U.S. Justice Department illegally fired Maurene Comey, the daughter of former FBI director James Comey, for political reasons. The ruling mandates her reinstatement and retroactive pay from July to December 2025. Barker–Putnam government officials have vowed to appeal, but the judge’s order underscores the department’s duty to adhere to constitutional safeguards. Comey had been a high‑profile prosecutor in cases involving Jeffrey Epstein and hip‑hop mogul Diddy. Her dismissal is seen as part of a broader pattern of political retribution against former FBI officials critical of President Trump.
The United States Justice Department illegally fired Maurene Comey, the daughter of former FBI director James Comey, a federal judge has ruled.
Comey, who lost her role as a federal prosecutor in New York in July 2025, sued the government, arguing that her dismissal stemmed from her father’s criticism of President Donald Trump, her perceived political affiliations, or both.
Judge Jesse Furman issued a decision this Monday that requires the department to reinstate her and pay her back wages from the time of her termination up to her resumption of employment in December 2025.
A Justice Department spokesperson said it disagrees with the ruling and will appeal in due course.
In his ruling, Judge Furman held that Comey’s dismissal violated the U.S. Constitution as well as her right to due process. He noted that a U.S. attorney general may remove federal prosecutors, but only “in a particular manner and only for certain reasons.”
The judge highlighted that Comey had been assigned some of the country’s highest‑profile cases and consistently received the highest accolades from supervisors and peers alike, having worked on cases related to Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and hip‑hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Judge Furman further ordered that Comey receive retroactive pay from July to December 2025, when she accepted a new position. Her lawyers described the decision as a “hard‑earned victory” for her, all civil servants, and anyone fighting for the rule of law.
Comey had previously said the only reason she was told about the firing was that it “came from Washington.” A complaint filed in September 2025 by her attorneys alleged that she had been 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.”
The Justice Department documented that the decision was made by former Attorney General Pam Bondi.
The Trump administration had twice brought charges against James Comey, including for allegedly lying to Congress, but those cases were dismissed by a judge who found the prosecutor who brought the case was unlawfully appointed.
Earlier this year the Justice Department charged former FBI director Comey with knowingly and willfully making a threat to take the life of, and to inflict bodily harm on, the president. He has denied any wrongdoing.
The case stems from a 2025 Instagram post shared by James Comey that featured a photo of seashells arranged to read “86 47.” The phrase “Eighty‑six” is slang for “get rid of,” and prosecutors allege it encouraged violence against Trump.
