Maurene Comey, former federal prosecutor and daughter of ex-FBI Director James Comey, urged her former colleagues to resist fear as a tool of tyranny following her abrupt dismissal by the Justice Department.
Maurene Comey, known for her work on high-profile cases involving Jeffrey Epstein and Sean “Diddy” Combs, was dismissed from her position at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York on Wednesday. In a candid email to her former colleagues, Comey expressed concerns that her unexplained firing could instill fear among those who continue to serve.
“If a career prosecutor can be fired without reason, fear may seep into the decisions of those who remain,” she wrote in the email obtained by CNN. “Do not let that happen.”
Her message emphasized that “fear is the tool of a tyrant, wielded to suppress independent thought.” She called upon her colleagues to let this moment ignite “a fire of righteous indignation at abuses of power,” and to maintain their commitment to justice and truth.
Comey, who had been with the office for nearly a decade, reflected on the ethos of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, encapsulated in the phrase: “Without Fear or Favor.” She stressed the importance of doing their work for the right reasons without fear of retribution or favoritism toward the powerful.
During her tenure, Comey noted that the concept of fear seemed irrelevant. The office prided itself on acting without favoritism, ensuring that individuals with access, wealth, and power received no differential treatment. “We have the luxury of exceptional security keeping us physically safe; and, so long as we did our work with integrity, we would get to keep serving the public in this office,” she said.
However, with her sudden removal, Comey acknowledged that the notion of operating “without fear” now poses a challenge. She urged her colleagues to stay committed to their principles and to act with integrity.
Concluding her message, she reaffirmed the honor it has been to fight for these principles alongside her team. Comey’s departure marks a notable shift within the department and raises concerns about the potential influence of politics on prosecutorial decisions.
This development comes amid a broader discussion on the independence of federal prosecutors and their role in ensuring justice is served without external pressure or influence.
Comey’s firing, lacking a provided reason, remains a point of concern and has possibly wider implications for the operation and morale of the Justice Department, according to CNN.
