Judge rules Justice Department unlawfully fired prosecutor Maurene Comey
publishers 58articles 88first reported 30 Sep, 17:48 UTCdeveloping since 30 Sep · 32 editions
A federal judge ruled Monday that the Justice Department unlawfully fired former federal prosecutor Maurene Comey and ordered that she be reinstated and receive back pay.
Comey, a former assistant U.S. attorney in Manhattan and the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, was dismissed in July 2025. She sued the department, alleging that she was fired because of her father’s criticism of President Donald Trump, her perceived political affiliations and beliefs, or both.
U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman found that her dismissal violated the Constitution and deprived her of due process. Furman said the attorney general has authority to remove an assistant U.S. attorney, but must do so “in a particular manner and only for certain reasons.” He noted that Comey had received strong evaluations while handling prominent prosecutions involving Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and Sean “Diddy” Combs.
The ruling awarded Comey back pay covering the period from her dismissal until December 2025, when she accepted another job. Her lawyers called the decision a victory for Comey, civil servants and the rule of law.
A Justice Department spokesperson said the department disagreed with the ruling and would appeal. Department court filings said the dismissal decision had been made by former Attorney General Pam Bondi.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 5 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 650 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 58
- Source articles
- 88
- Given to the writer
- 8, 5 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 650 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
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