The US Department of Justice has dismissed veteran federal prosecutor Maurene Comey, who played key roles in high-profile cases involving convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. Her abrupt firing has raised fresh concerns over political interference and the widening purge of legal officials under President Donald Trump’s administration.

Comey’s termination from the Southern District of New York (SDNY)—where she served as a trial lawyer since 2015—was confirmed by multiple sources to CBS News, though the Justice Department has offered no public explanation. A person familiar with the matter told Politico that she was given no reason for her dismissal.

Comey is the daughter of James Comey, the former FBI Director famously fired by Trump in 2017 amid investigations into Russian election interference. The president has reportedly expressed discomfort with her presence in the administration, according to ABC News.

Her ousting comes as Attorney General Pam Bondi faces mounting criticism over the Justice Department’s handling of documents related to Epstein’s alleged sex trafficking network. Epstein died by suicide in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial, and earlier this year, Bondi indicated that a client list might be released—only to reverse course, stating last week there was no “incriminating list” and that no additional files would be disclosed.

Comey’s firing is the latest in a growing list of dismissals targeting prosecutors involved in cases that have displeased President Trump or his allies. Just last week, Attorney General Bondi reportedly fired more than 20 staff membersinvolved in Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigations into Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election and his alleged mishandling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.

Prosecutors who led cases against participants in the January 6 Capitol riot have also been removed in what critics call a systematic dismantling of justice department independence.

Maurene Comey’s team recently failed to convict rapper Sean Combs on the most serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. Combs was instead found guilty of lesser counts earlier this month, a result that reportedly drew private frustration from Trump.

Adding to the controversy, her father James Comey is now under federal investigation for past statements made to Congress during the Russia probe. He was also questioned by the Secret Service after posting—and then deleting—an Instagram photo of a seashell, which officials alleged could be interpreted as a coded threat toward the president.

President Trump intensified the controversy this week by publicly rebuking supporters who claim the administration is engaged in a cover-up of the Epstein scandal.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote,

“To those pushing these conspiracy theories about Epstein: you’re weaklings. I don’t want your support.”

Critics say the president’s latest moves appear to signal a broader crackdown on any officials perceived to be disloyal or connected to past investigations into his conduct.

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