Politics
Former pardon attorney sues Justice Department over termination linked to Mel Gibson gun rights dispute
Elizabeth Oyer alleges she was unlawfully fired for refusing to grant a political favor, while Attorney General Todd Blanche denies the claim.
The short version
- Former pardon attorney Elizabeth Oyer filed a federal lawsuit challenging her March 2025 termination from the Department of Justice.
- Oyer alleges she was fired after refusing to recommend restoring actor Mel Gibson's gun rights following a past domestic violence conviction.
- Attorney General Todd Blanche has denied the allegations, maintaining Oyer was fired for other reasons including end-of-term clemency recommendations.
- The lawsuit seeks back pay, a declaration that the dismissal was unlawful, and Oyer's reinstatement to federal civil service.
Key facts
- Elizabeth Oyer filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice and Attorney General Todd Blanche in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.[The Guardian · Associated Press]
- Oyer claims she was dismissed after refusing to recommend reinstating Mel Gibson's gun privileges, citing his prior domestic violence conviction.[The Guardian · Associated Press]
- Todd Blanche denied Oyer's claims during his Senate confirmation hearing, stating he knew nothing about Gibson or the request when he dismissed her.[Associated Press]
- Blanche stated Oyer was terminated for several reasons, including her recommendation to commute the sentences of all federal death row inmates at the close of Joe Biden's presidency.[Associated Press]
- The complaint alleges violations of the Civil Service Reform Act, First Amendment free speech rights, and constitutional due process protections.[The Guardian · Associated Press]
- Oyer's lawsuit requests reinstatement to federal service, back pay, and restored benefits after personnel complaints remained unresolved before the Merit Systems Protection Board.[The Guardian · Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- The true motivating factor behind Oyer's dismissal remains disputed between her account of political retaliation and the Justice Department's stated policy disagreements.[The Guardian · Associated Press]