Maurene Comey, a prominent federal prosecutor known for her work on high-profile cases involving Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, was abruptly fired from the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.
Comey's dismissal has sent shockwaves through the legal community and raised numerous questions, given her critical role in prosecuting some of the most controversial sex trafficking cases in recent history. She had served nearly a decade in the office and was widely respected for her prosecutorial skill and dedication.
Most recently, Comey led the prosecution of Sean "Diddy" Combs, the famed music mogul who faced charges related to sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. The trial, which concluded earlier this month, resulted in a split verdict: Combs was convicted on a lesser charge of transportation to engage in prostitution but acquitted of the more serious sex trafficking and racketeering charges. Combs is scheduled to be sentenced on October 3, 2025.
Prior to the Combs case, Comey had been a key figure in the prosecutions of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Epstein, the disgraced financier accused of running a vast child sex trafficking ring, was charged in 2019 by the Manhattan U.S. Attorney's Office, with Comey among the prosecutors. Epstein died by suicide in his jail cell while awaiting trial, a development that still fuels controversy and conspiracy theories.
Maxwell, Epstein's former associate and often dubbed his "madam," was convicted in December 2021 of sex trafficking minors and sentenced to 20 years in prison. She is currently appealing her conviction. Comey was one of three lead prosecutors in Maxwell's case, which was seen as a landmark victory for victims of sex trafficking.
The circumstances surrounding Comey's firing remain unclear. She was informed of her dismissal via a letter that cited Article II of the U.S. Constitution, which outlines presidential powers. Sources indicate that the decision did not come from the Southern District of New York's interim U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton but likely originated from higher levels within the Justice Department headquarters.
Adding further intrigue is the fact that Maurene Comey is the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, a figure who has long been at odds with former President Donald Trump. James Comey was famously fired by Trump during his first term, primarily due to his role in initiating the Russia investigation. The younger Comey has reportedly been targeted by Trump’s right-wing supporters, including activist Laura Loomer, who publicly called for her firing earlier this year amid frustrations over the Justice Department's handling of Epstein-related documents.
Indeed, the firing comes at a time when the Trump administration, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, has faced significant backlash from some of the president’s own supporters. Many have criticized the administration’s reluctance to release additional files related to Epstein’s sex trafficking case, sparking a MAGA revolt and intense political pressure. Despite this, Trump recently dismissed the concerns of his base, referring to their demands for transparency as "bullshit."
Within the U.S. Attorney's Office, Comey's departure has caused palpable unrest. Earlier this year, the office experienced a series of upheavals: Danielle Sassoon, the interim U.S. Attorney, resigned in protest after the Justice Department ordered the dropping of corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Sassoon's resignation was followed by Matthew Podolsky stepping aside to make way for Jay Clayton, Trump's nominee for interim U.S. Attorney. These events have left the office shaken, and Comey's firing is the latest in a string of destabilizing moves.
In a show of solidarity, dozens of prosecutors from the Southern District of New York rallied around Comey on the evening of her dismissal, escorting her out of the office for the last time. This gesture underscored the high regard in which she was held by her colleagues and the sense of loss her firing has caused within the legal community.
Spokespersons for the Justice Department and the Southern District of New York declined to comment on the firing, and Comey herself did not respond to requests for comment. The White House press office also did not immediately address whether the administration had requested the Justice Department to terminate her employment.
As the dust settles, the firing of Maurene Comey highlights the ongoing tensions within the Justice Department and the broader political landscape surrounding the Epstein and Maxwell cases. It also underscores the fraught relationship between the Trump administration and figures associated with investigations that have been politically sensitive.
With Comey's departure, questions remain about the future direction of prosecutions related to sex trafficking and corruption in one of the nation's most prominent federal prosecutor's offices. The episode also adds another chapter to the complex saga involving the Comey family and the Trump administration, a saga marked by public battles, investigations, and political intrigue.
