Former Southern District of New York prosecutor Maurene Comey has filed a lawsuit alleging her removal from the U.S. Attorney’s office was “unlawful and unconstitutional” — and claims it likely happened because of who her father is.
Comey, who is the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, was fired in July by Attorney General Pam Bondi. The younger Comey had worked on several high-profile prosecutions, including those of Sean “Diddy” Combs, disgraced gynecologist Robert Hadden, and Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
In her lawsuit, Comey argues that she was dismissed “for no reason,” and calls the termination politically motivated. “The politically motivated termination of Ms. Comey — ostensibly under ‘Article II of the Constitution’ — upends bedrock principles of our democracy and justice system,” the lawsuit reads, according to the Times. “Assistant United States attorneys like Ms. Comey must do their jobs without fearing or favoring any political party or perspective, guided solely by the law, the facts and the pursuit of justice.”
The suit names the “Office of the President,” Bondi, and other officials as defendants.
Politics, Legacy, and Accountability
Comey’s claim that her firing was rooted in partisan politics comes against the backdrop of her family’s history. Her father, James Comey, was fired as FBI Director by Donald Trump in 2017 after a series of controversies over his handling of the Clinton email investigation and the Russia probe. Critics say her lawsuit now risks framing any legitimate personnel decision as political retaliation simply because of her last name.
Bondi, a former Florida attorney general and longtime Trump ally, has not publicly commented on the lawsuit. Supporters of the administration argue that the president has constitutional authority to remove U.S. Attorneys at will — a power that has been upheld across multiple administrations. While career federal prosecutors are expected to be insulated from political pressure, they ultimately serve at the pleasure of the president.
Comey’s Farewell Message Warned of “Fear”
In a sharp farewell note to colleagues, Comey appeared to aim barbs at Trump and Bondi. “Fear is the tool of a tyrant,” she wrote in a message obtained by Politico. “If a career prosecutor can be fired without reason, fear may seep into the decisions of those who remain. Do not let that happen.”
“We have entered a new phase where ‘without fear’ may be the challenge,” she continued, referencing the office’s longtime motto of impartiality, and urging prosecutors to hold fast. “Let this moment fuel the fire that already burns at the heart of this place… Of commitment to seek justice for victims. Of dedication to truth above all else.”
