A federal judge ruled that the Justice Department illegally fired prosecutor Maurene Comey. The court ordered her reinstatement and back pay.
A federal judge recently ruled that the U.S. Justice Department illegally fired prosecutor Maurene Comey. She is the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey.
Also, Judge Jesse Furman ordered the government to reinstate her job. He also mandated that she receive back pay for her lost wages.
Next, Maurene Comey sued the government after losing her position in July 2025. She claimed the firing stemmed from her father’s criticism of Donald Trump.
Meanwhile, the judge determined her termination violated the U.S. Constitution. He stated that officials must fire prosecutors only for specific, lawful reasons.
Furthermore, the judge praised Comey’s professional record. She handled major cases involving Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Sean "Diddy" Combs.
After that, the Justice Department expressed disagreement with the court’s decision. A spokesperson confirmed the agency plans to appeal the ruling soon.
Still, the judge ordered payment for her lost salary from July until December 2025. Comey accepted a new job in December of that same year.
Additionally, her legal team celebrated the outcome as a win for civil servants. They believe the ruling protects the rule of law for everyone.
However, the government previously claimed former Attorney General Pam Bondi made the decision. They argued the move followed standard administrative procedures.
Finally, the dispute highlights ongoing tensions between the administration and the Comey family. Prosecutors also recently charged James Comey with threatening the president online.