James Comey criticized the July 2025 firing of his daughter, Maurene Comey, from the Southern District of New York as “illegal,” “stupid” and “immoral.” He made the remarks in his first interview since a second indictment by the Trump administration, defending his public stance while acknowledging the burden on his family. Maurene — who worked on the Epstein and Maxwell prosecutions — filed a September 2025 lawsuit alleging her removal was politically motivated. Comey said the dismissals and resignations represent a loss of apolitical talent at the Department of Justice.
Comey Calls Daughter’s SDNY Firing “Illegal,” “Stupid” and “Immoral”
Former FBI Director James Comey sharply criticized the July 2025 dismissal of his daughter, Maurene Comey, from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, calling the move “illegal,” “stupid” and “immoral.” Maurene, who was part of high-profile prosecutions including the Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell cases, was removed from her federal prosecutor role by then-Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Comey addressed the firing during an interview with MSNBC’s Nicole Wallace — his first public interview since being indicted for a second time by the Trump administration. He described the personal toll that his public stance has had on his family while defending his decision to speak out.
“There’s a cost to speaking up in this strange era, awful error we’re in now. I think they accept that. I think they’re proud that I act the way I do. I’m not going to be quiet. I’m going to continue to speak about what I believe. But of course, it’s a burden for a family. That, to me, is a part that I regret. But they’re strong people.”
Comey said his daughter was an outstanding prosecutor and suggested her dismissal was driven by politics and her family name. He noted Maurene has since joined private practice and expressed hope she might one day return to the Department of Justice.
He also discussed his son-in-law, Troy A. Edwards Jr., who stepped down from his role as a national security prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia shortly after Comey’s earlier indictment. Comey lamented the loss of experienced, apolitical talent from U.S. attorney offices amid the political turmoil.
In September 2025, Maurene Comey filed a lawsuit against President Trump alleging her termination was politically motivated. The complaint, as reported by The New York Times, argues the removal — justified by the administration as an exercise of presidential authority under Article II — undermines longstanding principles that career prosecutors should operate free from political pressure.
“The politically motivated termination of Ms. Comey — ostensibly under ‘Article II of the Constitution’ — upends bedrock principles of our democracy and justice system. Assistant United States attorneys like Ms. Comey must do their jobs without fearing or favoring any political party or perspective, guided solely by the law, the facts and the pursuit of justice.”
Comey characterized the episode as both a personal hardship for his family and a symptom of broader institutional damage when experienced prosecutors leave public service for political reasons.
Help us improve.
