Federal Judge rules that Maurene Comey lawsuit can move forward

April 28 (UPI) -- Maurene Comey, a former Manhattan federal prosecutor, can continue with her lawsuit against the Justice Department for firing her last year, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.

Comey was a prominent federal prosecutor when the Justice Department abruptly fired her without explanation in July. She'd served in the role for nearly 10 years, dealing with cases such as those against Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Comey is also the daughter of James B. Comey, a former FBI director who has clashed notably with President Donald Trump. She said in the lawsuit that her termination had no plausible reason except for this relationship or her "perceived political affiliation or beliefs," The New York Times reported.

Justice Department lawyers claimed that Comey's case had to go before the Merit Systems Protection Board, an executive branch agency, rather than federal court, Politico reported. However, in this ruling, U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman said this is not the sort of case that would fall under the board, which deals with violations of civil service laws, and that Comey's claims "raise fundamental constitutional questions."

Furman noted in his decision that Comey was "by all accounts, an exemplary Assistant United States Attorney" and that "prominent supporters of President Trump began to call for her ouster" due to her familial connections in spring 2025. He did not rule on the merits of her claim but allowed the lawsuit to continue.

Ellen Blain, one of Comey's lawyers, said that they are pleased with the decision.

"No president can ignore the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and federal law and fire a career public employee based solely on her last name," Blain told Politico. "We look forward to continuing to vindicate Ms.Comey's constitutional rights and protect our civil service."

The Justice Department did not comment.

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This story was originally published April 28, 2026 at 11:29 AM.