Maurene Comey fired from SDNY amid Trump administration shake-up

On July 16, 2025, Maurene Comey, a long-standing DOJ lawyer and daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, was dismissed from her position at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY). This termination occurred amidst a series of significant changes in the federal prosecutor's office, which have drawn considerable attention due to the political implications following President Donald Trump's administration. Maurene Comey was recognized for leading high-profile prosecutions, including the recent case against Sean 'Diddy' Combs and her involvement in the high-profile investigations into sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell. The dismissal reportedly followed complaints from President Trump regarding the presence of Comey in his administration. Sources disclosed that Trump's administration sought to distance itself from the Comey family due to James Comey’s previous role in initiating the investigation into Russian interference during the 2016 election, and friction seemingly emerged over this familial connection. According to insiders, Maurene's termination was executed 'pursuant to Article II of the Constitution,' which may refer to the President's authority to appoint and remove officials in the executive branch. This dismissal is part of a broader shake-up within the SDNY, which has experienced several leadership changes under Trump's administration. These include the resignation of prior U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon and the stepping down of Matthew Podolsky earlier this year, allowing Trump to appoint Jay Clayton as his nominee for interim U.S. attorney. The political environment surrounding these administrative changes reflects the ongoing tensions and investigations that have characterized Trump's presidency. The subsequent termination of someone like Maurene Comey, who was highly regarded for her professional contributions, signifies not only a shift in personnel but also the impact of political affiliations on judicial processes. As federal prosecutors often operate as independent entities, the actions taken in firing such a lawyer could raise serious questions regarding the justice system's autonomy, integrity, and the potential for political influence over legal proceedings that should remain impartial. This incident emphasizes ongoing debates surrounding judicial independence and the extent to which political considerations can affect matters of public justice.