U.S. Justice Department Moves to Dismiss Former Prosecutor's Lawsuit

The U.S. Department of Justice has asked a court to throw out a lawsuit filed by former federal prosecutor Maurene Comey. The department argues she failed to follow required internal grievance processes before taking legal action. Comey, who is the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, sued the Justice Department after her firing in 2023. Her lawsuit claims the termination was an act of political retaliation. In its new court filing, the department does not address the case's merits. Instead, it states that Comey did not first file an administrative complaint—a necessary step for federal employees—which it says legally bars her lawsuit. The court must now decide whether to dismiss the case based on this procedural argument or allow it to proceed.