A federal judge in New York has ruled that the Trump administration unlawfully fired Maurene Comey, a career Justice Department prosecutor and daughter of former FBI Director James Comey. The ruling, issued Monday by U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman, rejected the government’s contention that the president has broad constitutional authority to remove federal prosecutors at will, affirming long-standing legal protections for career civil servants.
Maurene Comey, who served for roughly a decade as an assistant U.S. attorney in Manhattan, was dismissed in July 2025 amid a broader pattern during the Trump administration of firing career employees perceived as politically opposed to the president. Prior to her termination, Comey had worked on high-profile cases involving figures such as music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, financier Jeffrey Epstein, and Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Judge Furman noted that Comey consistently earned high praise from supervisors and colleagues.
Comey filed suit in September 2025 against the Justice Department and other government officials, alleging that her firing violated the constitutional separation of powers, the Administrative Procedure Act, and her Fifth Amendment due process rights. Central to her claim was that the dismissal was motivated by political animus linked to her father, James Comey, who President Donald Trump had fired as FBI director in 2017 and frequently criticized publicly. She also contended that her perceived political beliefs contributed to the decision.
The government argued that the president’s Article II powers gave him “conclusive and preclusive” authority over federal prosecutors and that Congress lacked the constitutional authority to limit such removals. However, Judge Furman ruled that this argument “flies in the face of nearly two centuries of Supreme Court precedent,” emphasizing that accepting the administration’s view would destabilize the constitutional balance among the branches of government.
The judge found that the firing violated multiple statutes and constitutional protections, ordering Maurene Comey to be retroactively reinstated and awarded back pay from her dismissal date until December 20, 2025, when she transitioned to private practice. While Furman declined to immediately rule on her First Amendment claim, he indicated it was likely moot since she no longer seeks reinstatement.
The Justice Department stated its disagreement with the ruling and announced plans to appeal. Comey’s legal team hailed the decision as a significant victory for all civil servants and a reaffirmation that the president is not above the law.
The case has drawn attention as a test of the limits on executive power over federal career employees, many of whom were dismissed during the Trump administration under circumstances suggesting political motivation. The firing of Maurene Comey was viewed by some observers as particularly personal, given the long-standing conflict between Donald Trump and her father.
Separately, the elder James Comey continues to face multiple federal legal challenges initiated by the current Justice Department, including recent charges related to the disclosure of classified information and alleged threats toward President Trump. The former FBI director and outspoken Trump critic has denied wrongdoing, calling the prosecutions politically motivated.