Maurene Comey, federal prosecutor in Manhattan who played a key role in the criminal cases against Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, was fired on Wednesday.
The reason for her ouster was not immediately disclosed. Maurene is the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, who was fired by President Donald Trump during his first term. She most recently led the prosecution of Sean “Diddy” Combs for the Southern District of New York (SDNY).
Newsweek reached out to the White House via email Wednesday night for comment.
Why It Matters
Maurene had been a central figure in high-profile investigations involving sex trafficking and prominent U.S. and international figures.
The timing of her dismissal, amid ongoing fallout and suspicion swirling over the handling of the Epstein investigation—including Department of Justice (DOJ) decisions to withhold certain records—has intensified an already politically charged atmosphere in the country.
Her exit also underscores ongoing tensions over the prosecution of high-stakes crimes and the perceived openness of the DOJ.
What To Know
Maurene was informed of her firing in a letter that noted Article II of the U.S. Constitution in the decision, according to reports by The New York Times, which cited three people familiar with the matter.
The Times first reported the firing, which was later picked up by ABC News and the Associated Press.
Epstein, a disgraced financier and sex offender, was arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges and died in a New York City prison in what officials ruled a suicide, which was reconfirmed in a joint memo by the FBI and DOJ this month.
Maxwell was convicted of assisting the abuse of underage girls and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
The DOJ recently reiterated in the memo that Epstein did not leave behind a so-called “client list,” and that much of the case material remains sealed by court order to protect the victims’ privacy. Commentators, political influencers and members of Trump’s MAGA base have accused the administration of lacking transparency.
Newsweek also reached out to the DOJ via online form for comment Wednesday night.
Amid the Epstein firestorm, Trump has taken a swipe at James Comey, saying Epstein-related files were “made up” by him along with former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
What People Are Saying
Former Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg, to Newsweek when asked if he thought the Trump administration requested the dismissal: “I think that anyone with the last name of Comey becomes a Target of this Administration.”
Trump posted to Truth Social on Wednesday: “The Radical Left Democrats have hit pay dirt, again! Just like with the FAKE and fully discredited Steele Dossier, the lying 51 ‘Intelligence’ Agents, the Laptop from Hell, which the Dems swore had come from Russia (No, it came from Hunter Biden’s bathroom!), and even the Russia, Russia, Russia Scam itself, a totally fake and made up story used in order to hide Crooked Hillary Clinton’s big loss in the 2016 Presidential Election, these Scams and Hoaxes are all the Democrats are good at – It’s all they have – They are no good at governing, no good at policy, and no good at picking winning candidates.”
Trump continued: “Also, unlike Republicans, they stick together like glue. Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this ‘bull***,’ hook, line, and sinker. They haven’t learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years. I have had more success in 6 months than perhaps any President in our Country’s history, and all these people want to talk about, with strong prodding by the Fake News and the success starved Dems, is the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax.
“Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don’t even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don’t want their support anymore! Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
What Happens Next
Congressional calls for more transparency in the handling of the Epstein case are expected to continue. It is immediately unknown who will replace Maurene Comey at SDNY.
Update 7/16/25, 9:01 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
The post Key Jeffrey Epstein Prosecutor Maurene Comey Fired: What We Know appeared first on Newsweek.
