A federal judge has ruled that the US justice department acted illegally when it dismissed Maurene Comey, a federal prosecutor in New York and the daughter of former FBI director James Comey.
Judge Jesse Furman ruled on Monday that the Trump administration must reinstate her and give her back pay. Comey lost her job in July 2025 and later sued the government, arguing she was removed because of her father, a critic of President Donald Trump, and because of her perceived political affiliations.
In his decision, Furman found that the firing violated the US Constitution and her right to a fair legal process. He wrote that the US attorney general has the power to fire federal prosecutors, but only "in a particular manner and only for certain reasons".
The judge also pointed to her record in the job. In her role, he noted, "she was assigned some of the country's highest profile cases and consistently received the highest accolades from supervisors and peers alike". Her work included cases against the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, and hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs. Combs was convicted last year on prostitution-related charges involving his two ex-girlfriends.
Furman ordered that she receive back pay covering July through December 2025, when she accepted a new job.
A justice department spokesperson said the department disagreed with the ruling and "will appeal in due course". In court filings, the department said the decision to fire her was made by former Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Comey's lawyers welcomed the outcome. "This hard-earned victory belongs to Ms Comey, to all civil servants, and to all fighting for the rule of law," they said in a statement. Comey had earlier said the only explanation she was given for her dismissal was that it "came from Washington". A complaint her lawyers filed in September 2025 said they believed she was fired "solely or substantially because her father is former FBI Director James B Comey, or because of her perceived political affiliation and beliefs, or both".
The ruling comes as her father faces legal trouble of his own. The Trump administration has twice brought charges against James Comey. One case, alleging he lied to Congress, was dismissed by a judge who found the prosecutor who brought it was unlawfully appointed.
Earlier this year, the justice department charged him with knowingly and wilfully making a threat to take the life of, and inflict bodily harm on, the president. He has denied any wrongdoing. The case stems from a 2025 Instagram post showing seashells on a beach arranged to read "86 47". "Eighty-six" is a slang term for "get rid of", and prosecutors allege the post encourages violence against Trump.