A federal judge has ruled that Maurene Comey, daughter of former FBI director James Comey, was illegally dismissed from her role as a federal prosecutor by the US Justice Department. Comey lost her job in July 2025 and subsequently filed a lawsuit, claiming her termination was linked to her father’s criticisms of former President Donald Trump and her perceived political affiliations.
Judge Jesse Furman ordered on Monday that the Trump administration must reinstate her and provide back pay. A spokesperson for the Justice Department indicated disagreement with the decision and plans to appeal.
In his ruling, Judge Furman stated that Comey’s firing violated the US Constitution and her right to a fair legal process. He emphasised that while the US Attorney General has the authority to terminate federal prosecutors, it must be done correctly and for valid reasons.
Furman highlighted Comey’s high-profile cases, which included work against the late Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, and noted her consistent praise from supervisors and colleagues. He ordered her to receive back pay from July until December 2025, when she took a new position.
In a statement following the ruling, Comey’s lawyers described it as a victory for civil servants and those upholding the rule of law. Comey had previously stated that she learned of her dismissal through “channels from Washington.”
Her lawyers’ September complaint asserted that her firing was predominantly due to her father’s identity or her political beliefs. The Justice Department has affirmed that her termination was decided by former Attorney General Pam Bondi.
The Trump administration has previously pursued charges against James Comey, including allegations of lying to Congress; however, a judge dismissed the case on grounds of improper appointment of the prosecutor.
Earlier this year, Maurene Comey was also charged by the Justice Department for allegedly threatening the life of the former president in a 2025 Instagram post. She has denied any wrongdoing, stating that her post, which formed the phrase “86 47” using seashells, did not encourage violence.
