Overview

• Maurene Comey, senior trial counsel in the SDNY U.S. Attorney’s Office, was dismissed July 16 by a Justice Department memo invoking presidential powers without offering any reason.
• Comey led the prosecution of Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted in 2021, and was a lead prosecutor in the Sean “Diddy” Combs trial concluded earlier this month.
• Politico reports the decision came from DOJ headquarters rather than interim SDNY U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, signaling increased White House influence over career prosecutors.
• Dozens of SDNY colleagues escorted Comey out of the office in a show of support, reflecting internal concern over recent staffing changes.
• Her firing follows a series of departures in the Southern District of New York and intensifies debate over civil-service protections and DOJ independence.