US Justice Department Fires Maurene Comey After Diddy and Epstein Trials

The United States Department of Justice has dismissed Maurene Comey, a senior federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, without providing any public explanation. Comey, the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, had recently led two of the most high-profile cases in the federal system: the prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and most recently, the trial of rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs. Her dismissal came less than two weeks after the conclusion of the Combs trial, during which he was acquitted of the most serious charges but convicted on lesser offenses.

The termination, delivered in a formal letter invoking the president’s authority under Article II of the Constitution, offered no specific rationale. According to multiple sources familiar with the matter, the Justice Department has declined to comment further. However, the timing of the decision has raised questions, especially given the fact that the Department recently confirmed it is conducting a confidential internal review involving James Comey, the former FBI director who was dismissed by President Trump in 2017.

Maurene Comey joined the Southern District office in 2015 and had since become one of its most prominent prosecutors. Her work on the Epstein and Maxwell cases earned her national recognition, particularly as she advocated for restrictions on the public release of sensitive court documents, citing the protection of victim identities. In the Diddy trial, she led a team that brought multiple charges of sex trafficking and abuse, many of which were ultimately dropped or led to acquittals, although Combs was convicted on lesser counts of obstruction.

Her firing follows a broader pattern of personnel shifts within the Justice Department since Pam Bondi assumed the role of Attorney General under President Trump’s second term. Several prosecutors connected to investigations involving the former president or his allies have been quietly removed or reassigned in recent months. While the Department has denied any political motives, critics argue that the current administration is undermining prosecutorial independence by targeting individuals perceived as politically unfriendly.

In recent weeks, prominent conservative figures, including political activist Laura Loomer and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, publicly criticized Maurene Comey’s role in the Epstein investigation, accusing her of covering up information and failing to release what they claim is a “client list” connected to Epstein’s global sex trafficking network. The Department of Justice reiterated last week that no such official list exists and that the allegations are politically motivated. Still, the pressure campaign appears to have gained traction within Republican circles, and the timing of Comey’s dismissal has fueled speculation about a direct connection.

Legal experts warn that the removal of a high-ranking career prosecutor without clear cause risks damaging the credibility of the Justice Department and sends a chilling message to other prosecutors working on sensitive or politically charged cases. Within the Southern District of New York, a prestigious jurisdiction known for its aggressive pursuit of white-collar crime and public corruption, the decision has reportedly caused concern about morale and institutional stability.

Neither the DOJ nor the White House responded to inquiries about whether the decision was connected to either the Epstein case or the family background of the prosecutor. James Comey, whose firing in 2017 triggered a major political confrontation, has not commented publicly on his daughter’s dismissal. Sources close to the family described the move as “deeply personal and politically loaded,” though they declined to elaborate.

Maurene Comey’s departure marks a significant turning point in the Department’s approach to internal oversight and transparency. As the Justice Department faces mounting pressure from both political camps and the public, questions remain about whether career prosecutors can continue to operate free from political interference in an increasingly partisan environment.