Maurene Comey, who was a federal prosecutor in the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office and the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, was fired on Wednesday. She worked in the Southern District of New York (SDNY), where she handled several high-profile cases. According to the Associated Press (AP), no specific reason was given for her dismissal.
A person familiar with the situation told AP that no explanation was offered for why she was removed from her position, but they did not want to be named because it was a sensitive personnel matter.
After being fired, Maurene Comey wrote a message to her colleagues in the office. While she didn’t mention former President Donald Trump by name, many believe her message was clearly directed at him or the leadership in his administration. In her message, she shared strong feelings about the importance of staying brave and independent, even during challenging times.
“Fear is the tool of a tyrant, wielded to suppress independent thought,” Maurene Comey wrote. Her message was obtained and reported by Politico, which said it appeared to be aimed at top officials in the Department of Justice, and possibly the former president.
Comey reminded her colleagues of the office’s long-time motto — “without fear or favor” — which means they should do their job fairly and without being influenced by fear or politics. But now, she suggested, this might be getting harder. She wrote: “[w]e have entered a new phase where ‘without fear’ may be the challenge.”
She continued in her message by warning about what could happen if prosecutors see someone get fired without being told why. She wrote, “If a career prosecutor can be fired without reason, fear may seep into the decisions of those who remain.
Do not let that happen.” She urged her colleagues to not be scared but instead use the situation as motivation to continue doing what is right. She added, “Fear is the tool of a tyrant, wielded to suppress independent thought. Instead of fear, let this moment fuel the fire that already burns at the heart of this place. A fire of righteous indignation at abuses of power. Of commitment to seek justice for victims. Of dedication to truth above all else.”
Maurene Comey worked on several important and well-known legal cases during her time as a prosecutor. She helped lead the 2019 case against Jeffrey Epstein, the wealthy financier accused of sex trafficking. She was also a prosecutor in the Ghislaine Maxwell case, and more recently, she had been working on the case involving music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. These were all major investigations that gained national attention.
Some have pointed out that Comey was also involved in court filings that helped block the release of documents related to Epstein under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). That made her a target for criticism from people who wanted those files made public.
According to a report from the Washington Post, she was also listed among the prosecutors who were connected to the controversial “deleted” surveillance footage of Epstein in prison before he died.
After she was fired, many of her colleagues at the SDNY stood by her. On Wednesday evening, they gathered and escorted her out of the office, showing their support and respect for her. It was a powerful moment that showed the bond between the prosecutors and how much she meant to the team.
Right now, it’s not clear what Maurene Comey will do next, or whether she will speak out further about her dismissal or the possible political pressure that may have led to it. But her message to her former coworkers was clear: don’t let fear take over. Keep doing what is right, and don’t let anyone stop you from seeking truth and justice.
