A federal judge in New York ruled Monday that the Trump administration illegally fired Maurene Comey, a Justice Department prosecutor and the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey. Judge Jesse M. Furman found that her July 2025 firing violated federal laws meant to end the spoils system, under which newly elected presidents often purged career workers and replaced them with loyalists.
The decision rejects the administration’s position that the Constitution allows such firings for any reason. The administration has relied on that argument in a broad effort to remove federal employees. Furman did not rule on Comey’s claim that she was fired because of her father, whom Trump has long viewed as an enemy.
Furman ordered retroactive reinstatement and back pay from the date of her firing through Dec. 20, 2025, when she started a private-sector job. The Justice Department said it disagreed and will appeal.
Hours after the ruling, unsealed court filings showed the Justice Department had brought a new criminal case against James Comey, accusing him of leaking classified information. Comey already faces a separate indictment over an Instagram post that showed seashells arranged as “86 47.”
Maurene Comey was fired two weeks after leading the prosecution of Sean “Diddy” Combs. Furman also said he was inclined to dismiss her free speech claim because she no longer seeks her old job.
