Washington:
The United States Department of Justice has terminated Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey, a seasoned prosecutor in the Southern District of New York and daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, Reuters and other sources confirmed on Wednesday.
Ms Comey, who joined the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s office in 2015, has been involved in several high-profile cases. She was part of the prosecution team in the Ghislaine Maxwell trial, which followed the death of Jeffrey Epstein in 2019, and more recently led the prosecution of entertainer Sean “Diddy” Combs on charges related to sex trafficking and racketeering. Maxwell was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison, while Combs received a mixed verdict earlier this month, acquitted of major charges but convicted of prostitution related offences.
Sources familiar with the matter disclosed that Ms Comey received a memo informing her dismissal in the early evening of 16 July. The memo cited Article II of the U.S. Constitution, under which the President holds authority to remove executive branch officials at will. Neither the Justice Department nor Ms Comey offered immediate comment. She was escorted out of the office, according to colleagues.
The reasons for her abrupt firing remain unclear. Observers note that Ms Comey’s dismissal comes amid a broader pattern of high‑level departures under the current administration, including those involved in prosecutions related to former President Trump and his associates. It also coincides with recent scrutiny of her father James Comey, currently under investigation by DOJ officials.
Political backlash has intensified in recent weeks over the administration’s handling of the Epstein files. Some of President Trump’s staunch supporters have criticised DOJ Attorney General Pam Bondi for withholding further documents, while calling for Ms Comey’s removal.
Legal commentators stress that Ms Comey was widely respected within the Southern District, considered one of the nation’s most prestigious federal prosecutor’s offices. Her dismissal has prompted concern over morale and protections for civil servants against politically motivated firings.
Ms Comey, whose career spans nearly a decade in public service, graduated from Harvard Law School and clerked in New York federal court before joining Debevoise & Plimpton, a leading national law firm.
The firing marks a further step in DOJ upheavals under the current administration, following earlier removals of prosecutors involved in investigations of the U.S. Capitol riot and staff linked to special counsel Jack Smith’s inquiry into Trump.
Some legal experts warn that reliance on Article II powers to dismiss experienced federal prosecutors without cause could weaken institutional guardrails and erode public confidence in the impartial administration of justice.
As investigations continue, questions remain about the motivations behind Ms Comey’s dismissal. Her departure has amplified tensions surrounding the intersection of legal proceedings, political interference, and the Independence of career prosecutors within the U.S. justice system.
