A federal judge ruled the dismissal of prosecutor Maurene Comey was unlawful
Federal judge Jesse M. Furman ruled that the Trump administration’s July 2025 firing of former Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey violated civil-service law and the constitutional separation of powers. He ordered her retroactive reinstatement and back pay through Dec. 20, saying the relief would make her whole. Comey’s lawyers praised the ruling.
More context
On Monday, federal judge Jesse M. Furman found that Maurene Comey’s dismissal from her post as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in July 2025 was unlawful. Furman found it violated the constitutional separation of powers and civil-service law. Comey had worked as a federal prosecutor in New York for a decade, and the judge said she had consistently received “the highest accolades from supervisors and peers alike.” Her work included some of the nation’s highest-profile cases. Furman ordered retroactive reinstatement and back pay from the date of her firing through Dec. 20, saying the remedies would “make her whole” and prevent adverse employment consequences from the unlawful termination. Comey’s lawyers praised the ruling.
Was this story useful?
What was the main problem? (optional)
Reporting
- Government Executive — Judge: ‘Article II’ firings violate separation of powers, civil service law
- PBS News (with Associated Press) — Trump DOJ illegally fired ex-FBI director's daughter, Maurene Comey, as a federal prosecutor, judge rules | PBS News
Verifier’s note
GovExec reports that the administration’s firing of Maurene Comey violated the law, and PBS, carrying an Associated Press report, says a judge ruled her firing illegal. Both describe the same recent ruling.