There is a "grave danger" in maintaining trust in federal prosecuting, former FBI Director James Comey said on Substack in his first reaction after the Department of Justice last week fired his daughter, Maurene Comey, as prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.
James Comey accused President Donald Trump of "hammering" at the department, saying there was a "reservoir of trust and credibility" in the DOJ but that this was at risk because of the department's recent actions.
After reading out a letter his daughter wrote in the aftermath of her firing, he said, "I don't have much to add to that, except to say: The reservoir is in grave danger right now."
James Comey emphasized that "Trump and the hacks who lead the Department of Justice are hammering at the dam day after day, trying to turn it into just another gold-leaf-covered Trump subsidiary."
He added, "Our best hope is that good people will stay and do what Maurene asked — have the courage to do the right thing, always. You may get fired for acting that way, but there's honor in that and nothing but disgrace for those who don't stand up."
The DOJ didn't give a reason why she was fired, Newsweek reported.
Maurene Comey wrote in her letter that "if a career prosecutor can be fired without reason, fear may seep into the decisions of those who remain. Do not let that happen. Fear is the tool of a tyrant, wielded to suppress independent thought."
It is not yet known who will replace her.
Brian Freeman ✉
Brian Freeman, a Newsmax writer based in Israel, has more than three decades writing and editing about culture and politics for newspapers, online and television.