The U.S. Department of Justice has dismissed veteran federal prosecutor Maurene Comey, a key figure in high-profile cases involving Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, amid growing scrutiny over a wave of politically charged dismissals.
Comey, who served in the Southern District of New York since 2015, was reportedly given no explanation for her termination. Her exit, confirmed by multiple sources to CBS News and Politico, has sparked renewed concerns over the DOJ’s independence under Attorney General Pam Bondi and President Donald Trump’s second administration.
The firing comes just weeks after Comey’s team failed to convict Combs on major charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, securing only lesser counts. The move also follows mounting pressure from Trump loyalists to discredit former officials linked to prior investigations targeting the president or his allies.
Comey is the daughter of James Comey, the former FBI director famously fired by Trump in 2017. Her dismissal adds to what critics call a political purge within the Justice Department. Earlier this month, at least 20 other officials tied to Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigations into Trump’s 2020 election conduct and classified document handling were also fired.
Bondi, once a Trump impeachment defense attorney, has faced backlash over conflicting statements regarding the Epstein case files. After promising transparency, she recently declared there was no incriminating client list, fueling accusations of a cover-up.
Adding to tensions, Trump this week lashed out on social media at supporters demanding more action on Epstein, branding them “stupid Republicans” and “weaklings.”
While the DOJ has not publicly commented on Comey’s dismissal, legal observers warn that the targeting of seasoned prosecutors could erode public trust in the rule of law as the 2026 midterms approach.
