Maurene Comey Sues Over “Politically Motivated” Firing, Demands Her Job Back

Maurene Comey, daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, is taking the U.S. government to court over her abrupt firing in July, claiming it was unlawful, unconstitutional, and politically motivated. The federal prosecutor, known for her work on high-profile sex abuse and corruption cases, is seeking reinstatement and a declaration that her termination violated the Constitution’s separation-of-powers protections.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in Manhattan federal court, says Comey’s firing came without cause, notice, or explanation—a decision the complaint suggests was tied to her father’s criticism of President Trump or her own perceived political beliefs. The complaint notes that the dismissal occurred the day after supervisors asked her to take the lead on a major public corruption case, and only three months after she received her latest “Outstanding” performance review.

“The politically motivated termination of Ms. Comey upends bedrock principles of our democracy and justice system,” the lawsuit reads. “Assistant United States Attorneys like Ms. Comey must do their jobs without fearing or favoring any political party or perspective, guided solely by the law, the facts, and the pursuit of justice.”

Comey has earned a reputation as a rising star in federal prosecution. She played a key role in the cases against financier Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is now serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking. She also recently prosecuted music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is awaiting sentencing for prostitution-related charges after being cleared of more serious sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy allegations.

The defendants named in the lawsuit include the Justice Department, the Executive Office of the President, Attorney General Pamela Bondi, the Office of Personnel Management, and the United States itself.

Her firing comes amid a wave of unexplained dismissals by the Justice Department, targeting prosecutors who have handled cases Trump dislikes, including those connected to the January 6 Capitol riot and special counsel Jack Smith’s investigations. Civil service protections meant to shield career prosecutors from political interference appear to have been disregarded, according to legal experts and Democratic lawmakers.

Maurene Comey’s legal team is pushing back hard, framing her termination as a direct attack on the independence of federal prosecutors. In the words of the lawsuit, “Defendants have not provided any explanation whatsoever… In truth, there is no legitimate explanation.”

This case adds another layer to the growing concerns that the Justice Department is being used as a tool for political retribution, following in the shadow of James Comey’s own conflicts with Trump during his tenure as FBI director.