Justice Department Fires Maurene Comey, Citing Article II Powers Amid High-Profile Case Controversy

Maurene Comey, a prominent federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), was dismissed from her position on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. The Justice Department provided no specific reason for her termination, reportedly citing only the broad executive powers granted by Article II of the U.S. Constitution. Comey was a lead prosecutor in several high-profile cases, including the prosecution of Ghislaine Maxwell and the recent trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs.

Comey had served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for nearly a decade and was widely regarded for her work on complex cases. She played a pivotal role in securing the conviction of Ghislaine Maxwell, an associate of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, on sex trafficking charges. More recently, she led the prosecution in the Sean "Diddy" Combs trial, which concluded with a mixed verdict, convicting him on prostitution-related charges but acquitting him of more serious counts.

While no official reason was given, the dismissal has sparked speculation of political motivation, partly due to Comey's familial connection. She is the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, whom President Donald Trump fired during his first term. Sources indicate that President Trump had privately expressed frustration about a Comey working within his administration, and James Comey is currently under a Justice Department investigation.

The firing also occurs amid renewed controversy surrounding the release of Jeffrey Epstein's case files. Attorney General Pam Bondi recently announced that no further Epstein-related documents would be released, a decision that drew criticism from some of President Trump's supporters. Some right-wing figures had publicly called for Maurene Comey's removal in connection with the handling of these files.

This termination is the latest in a series of leadership changes and dismissals within the Justice Department, raising concerns among legal experts about the politicization of federal law enforcement. Commenting on the situation, social media personality Adam Cochran stated, > "There is no legitimate grounds for this firing, as by all accounts Comey is an incredibly talented and reputable prosecutor!" The lack of explicit justification for the firing has fueled broader discussions about prosecutorial independence and civil service protections.