Politics · United States · 5 hrs ago
Judge rules Maurene Comey's firing unlawful and orders reinstatement
A federal judge in New York ruled on Oct.
26 that the Justice Department unlawfully fired prosecutor Maurene Comey.
Comey, daughter of former FBI director James Comey, was dismissed from her Manhattan job in July 2025 without being given a reason.
She argued that her firing was linked to her father's criticism of President Donald Trump or her perceived political views.
Judge Jesse Furman said the firing violated federal law and Comey's due process rights, limiting the government's power to remove federal prosecutors.
He ordered her reinstated retroactively and granted back pay for the period after her firing until Dec.
20, when she accepted another job.
The Justice Department plans to appeal the decision.
A federal judge ruled on Oct. 26 that the Justice Department unlawfully fired former Manhattan prosecutor Maurene Comey.
U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman ordered her retroactive reinstatement and back pay from her July 2025 firing through Dec. 20.
Furman found the firing violated the separation of powers, federal law and Comey’s due process rights.
Comey had argued she was fired because of her father, former FBI director and Trump critic James Comey, or her perceived political beliefs.
The Justice Department said it disagreed with the decision and would appeal.
- Who
- Maurene Comey, a former assistant U.S. attorney in Manhattan. Judge Jesse Furman issued the ruling.
- What
- Furman ruled that Comey’s firing was unlawful and ordered her retroactive reinstatement and back pay.
- When
- The ruling was issued Oct. 26, 2026. Comey was fired in July 2025.
- Where
- The case was heard in federal court in Manhattan, New York.
- Why
- Furman found that the firing violated federal law and Comey’s rights. Comey argued she was dismissed because of her father or her perceived political beliefs.
Maurene Comey and her lawyers
U.S. Justice Department
Reason for dismissal
Maurene Comey and her lawyers
Comey alleged she was fired because she is James Comey’s daughter or because of her perceived political affiliation and beliefs.
U.S. Justice Department
The department argued the president had unrestricted power to remove federal prosecutors.
Legal limits on removal
Maurene Comey and her lawyers
Comey challenged the firing as unlawful under the Constitution and federal law.
U.S. Justice Department
The department argued Congress could not limit the removal of federal prosecutors.
Maurene Comey began serving as a federal prosecutor in Manhattan.
The Justice Department fired Comey without giving an official reason, according to the articles.
Judge Jesse Furman ruled the firing unlawful and ordered Comey’s retroactive reinstatement and back pay.
- Judge
- Jesse Furman
- Court location
- Manhattan, New York
- Firing
- July 2025
- Ruling date
- Oct. 26, 2026
- Back-pay period
- From the firing through Dec. 20
- Appeal
- The Justice Department said it would appeal in due course.
4 sources
US judge says firing of daughter of former FBI director unlawful
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Maurene Comey, James Comey's daughter, was unlawfully fired, judge rules
What people are saying
Yes, the Attorney-General is authorised by law to remove an AUSA. But the Attorney-General... is also limited by law... to do so only in a particular manner and only for certain reasons.
Indeed, to accept Defendants’ argument would be to unsettle the very equilibrium established by this Nation’s constitutional system.
disagrees with this decision and will appeal in due course.
This decision reaffirms our bedrock system of checks and balances: the President is not above the law.