Overview

• The Justice Department removed Maurene Comey from her position at the SDNY via a memo citing the president’s Article II authority without providing any justification.
• Comey, the eldest daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, had served nearly a decade as a senior trial counsel and led prosecutions against Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and Sean “Diddy” Combs.
• Two sources familiar with the matter said the directive came from DOJ headquarters rather than SDNY leadership, marking a rare direct use of presidential removal powers over a career prosecutor.
• The timing of her firing follows the administration’s reversal on releasing Epstein case files and a new inquiry into her father’s conduct during the Russia probe, deepening fears of partisan interference.
• Dozens of SDNY colleagues publicly escorted Comey out of the office in a show of support, highlighting growing concerns about civil-service protections under political pressure.