Topline
Federal prosecutor Maurene Comey, who is the daughter of ex-FBI Director James Comey and handled numerous high-profile cases including the prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein, was fired from her post at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, according to multiple outlets.
Comey plaid a key role in the prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Photographer: … More
Key Facts
The reason behind Comey’s firing was not immediately clear, according to Politico, which cited two unnamed people familiar with the matter.
Comey was a lead prosecutor in the cases against Jeffrey Epstein and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs.
President Donald Trump, who fired James Comey from his role as FBI Director in 2017 for his investigation into Russian election interference, has “privately vented” about having Maurene Comey work for his administration, ABC reported, citing unnamed sources.
James Comey has become a vocal critic of Trump following his firing from the FBI.
Maurene Comey worked at the U.S. attorney’s office as a senior trial counsel and was rallied around by fellow prosecutors in the office Wednesday, Politico reported, with dozens escorting her out of the building.
Forbes reached out to the Justice Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for comment.
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Key Background
Comey’s firing comes amid backlash the Trump administration has faced for not releasing the full extent of the so-called Epstein files. Trump has blasted his supporters who have taken issue with the inaction around the files, saying Tuesday the files are a “hoax” and that his “PAST supporters have bought into this ‘bulls—,’ hook, line, and sinker.” The president, who in 2024 told Fox News he would declassify the Epstein files, also said Tuesday “credible information” about Jeffrey Epstein had already been released and “only pretty bad people” were maintaining the backlash against his administration. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi have specifically faced pushback for more transparency from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., the latter of whom has suggested a special counsel should be appointed if the Epstein files are not released.
Further Reading
Trump Says He Doesn’t Understand Interest In ‘Boring’ Epstein Files: Here’s A Timeline Of Events (Forbes)
Trump Rips ‘Weaklings’ Who Criticized Handling Of Epstein Files—Calls It ‘Big Hoax’ (Forbes)
