US judge orders Trump administration to reinstate former prosecutor Maurene Comey

A US federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration illegally dismissed Maurene Comey, the daughter of former FBI director James Comey, and must reinstate her with back pay.

Judge Jesse Furman said the dismissal breached the US Constitution and the right to a fair legal process, noting that while the US attorney general can fire federal prosecutors, it must be done “in a particular manner and only for certain reasons”.

Comey, who lost her role as a federal prosecutor in New York in July 2025, sued the Department of Justice, alleging she was fired because of her father’s criticism of President Donald Trump and her perceived political affiliations. The judge ordered her back pay from July to December 2025, when she took a new job.

The Department of Justice said it disagreed with the decision and will appeal. A spokesperson added that the decision would be appealed “in due course”.

Comey’s lawyers hailed the ruling as a victory for civil servants and the rule of law. The case follows earlier legal actions involving James Comey, including charges that were later dismissed.

Source: BBC News. Photo: Phil Evenden / Pexels.