Trump administration renews prosecution effort against James Comey as judge orders daughter’s reinstatement

The Trump administration is attempting to prosecute former FBI Director James Comey over what it describes as a decade-old leak of classified information, NPR reported. Comey’s lawyers immediately rejected the effort, arguing that the case is invalid and barred by the applicable time limit. The renewed prosecution attempt coincides with a separate ruling involving Comey’s daughter, Maurene Comey.

Federal Judge Jesse Furman ruled on Monday that the Justice Department illegally fired her from her post as a federal prosecutor in New York. He ordered the department to reinstate her and provide back pay for the period from her dismissal in July 2025 until December, when she accepted another job. Furman said the dismissal violated the US Constitution and Comey’s right to a fair legal process.

He acknowledged that the attorney general can fire federal prosecutors, but said that authority may be exercised only “in a particular manner and only for certain reasons”. The judge also noted that Comey had received the highest accolades from supervisors and peers while handling prominent cases. The Justice Department said it disagreed with the ruling and would appeal.

Court filings attributed the decision to dismiss Comey to former Attorney General Pam Bondi. Comey’s lawyers argued that she was fired because of her father, a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, or because of her perceived political affiliations and beliefs. Before leaving the department, Maurene Comey worked on cases involving the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, his associate Ghislaine Maxwell and the musician Sean “Diddy” Combs.

Furman’s order requires the government to restore her position despite her subsequent move to a new employer. The legal pressure on James Comey has taken several forms. The Trump administration has brought charges against him twice, including an allegation that he lied to Congress.

A judge dismissed that case after finding that the prosecutor who brought it had been unlawfully appointed. Earlier this year, prosecutors charged Comey with knowingly and wilfully threatening to kill or harm the president. The case arose from a 2025 Instagram post showing seashells arranged to read “86 47”.

Prosecutors interpret “86” as slang for getting rid of someone and allege that the image encouraged violence against Trump. Comey has denied wrongdoing. The supplied reports do not say whether the latest leak prosecution has formally resulted in charges or identify the alleged classified material.

They do show a widening legal conflict involving the former FBI director and his daughter, with the administration defending its actions and Comey’s lawyers portraying them as attacks on the rule of law.