Daughter of Former FBI Director James Comey Terminated from Manhattan Prosecutor Role

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has terminated Maurene Comey, a seasoned federal prosecutor and daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, from her position in the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office, sources confirmed to multiple news outlets on Wednesday. The abrupt firing has sparked speculation due to its timing amid ongoing controversy surrounding the DOJ’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking investigation.

Maurene Comey, a veteran prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, was a key figure in high-profile cases, including the prosecutions of Jeffrey Epstein, his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. Her role in the Epstein case, where the financier died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial, and the subsequent conviction of Maxwell in 2021, placed her at the center of one of the DOJ’s most scrutinized investigations. Comey also led the recent prosecution of Combs, which resulted in a mixed verdict with convictions on lesser charges but acquittals on more serious counts.

The decision to fire Comey comes as the Trump administration faces intense criticism from some of its supporters over the DOJ’s refusal to release additional records related to Epstein’s case. A recent DOJ memo concluded there was no “client list” of powerful individuals tied to Epstein’s activities, contradicting earlier statements by Attorney General Pam Bondi, who had implied such a list existed. This reversal has fueled outrage among some conservative influencers and members of Trump’s base, who have demanded greater transparency.

Sources suggest Comey’s termination may be linked to her father’s fraught history with President Donald Trump, who fired James Comey as FBI Director in 2017 over his handling of the Russia election interference probe. The elder Comey has also faced scrutiny for a cryptic social media post earlier this year, which some interpreted as a provocative message. However, no official reason for Maurene Comey’s firing has been disclosed, and the DOJ has not responded to requests for comment.

The move has drawn mixed reactions. Some, including right-wing commentators like Laura Loomer, had called for Comey’s dismissal, citing her involvement in the Epstein case and perceived ties to her father’s political controversies. Others, such as Barry Levine, author of a book on Epstein and Maxwell, praised Comey’s prosecutorial work, describing her as an “excellent part” of the team that secured Maxwell’s conviction.

The firing marks the latest shake-up in the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office, following the resignation of prosecutor Danielle Sassoon in February over the DOJ’s decision to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. President Trump recently named Sassoon as interim U.S. Attorney after dismissing Edward Kim.

As the Epstein controversy continues to roil the Trump administration, Comey’s termination raises questions about the DOJ’s priorities and the influence of political pressures on its operations. The White House has defended Bondi, with Trump stating she has released “credible information” and dismissing further interest in the Epstein case as a “hoax.” Meanwhile, calls for the release of unclassified Epstein files persist, with even some congressional Democrats joining the push for transparency.

Maurene Comey’s next steps remain unclear, but her departure from the DOJ closes a significant chapter in one of the nation’s most high-profile prosecutorial offices.