DOJ Attorney Claims She Was Fired for Refusing to Approve Mel Gibson’s Gun Rights

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A lawyer for clemency within the Justice Department alleges that she was dismissed following her refusal to reinstate Mel Gibson’s firearm privileges.

Last Monday, Elizabeth G. Oyer, who was previously the U.S. pardon attorney, shared with The New York Times that she was dismissed from her position on Friday, as she declined to endorse Gibson being permitted to own a firearm once more. This decision came after Gibson, an actor and director, lost his right to bear arms following a 2011 misdemeanor conviction for domestic violence. The New York Times corroborated the reasons behind Oyer’s termination with other individuals privy to the situation.

As a passionate supporter, I recently learned that in an interview with the Times, my beloved Oyer disclosed the chronology leading up to her departure from the DOJ. It turns out she was once part of a team working on a mission to reinstate gun rights for a specific group who had prior convictions. This dedicated team put together a list of 95 potential candidates, all of whom were qualified for this restoration. However, the office of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche reportedly reduced this number to just nine individuals. Last Thursday, following orders, Oyer prepared and submitted a draft memo advocating for these nine people’s right to bear arms again.

According to the Times, Blanche’s office subsequently asked to include Mel Gibson in a memo. Enclosed with this request was a January letter penned by Gibson’s legal team, which petitioned two high-ranking Justice Department officials for the restoration of Gibson’s gun rights. The letter stated that Gibson had been appointed as a “special envoy” by Trump in Hollywood and highlighted his impressive film career. Furthermore, the letter from Gibson’s lawyers revealed that he had attempted to buy a handgun but was refused because of his past conviction for domestic violence.

In the year 2011, Gibson admitted his guilt without formally contesting the charges in a Los Angeles court for a minor offense related to physically abusing an ex-partner.

Oyer informed the Times that the proposal to reinstate Gibson’s access to weapons was unlike other cases her working group had examined, as she wasn’t well-versed with his specific circumstances. “Returning firearms to individuals with a history of domestic abuse is a significant issue that, in my opinion, isn’t something I would suggest lightly due to the severe repercussions associated with such actions,” Oyer stated.

In a memo to her superiors at the Justice Department, Oyer expressed her reluctance to support the restoration of Gibson’s gun rights. Shortly afterwards, during a phone conversation, a senior male colleague inquired if her stance on this matter could be altered, and she firmly replied that it was not adjustable.

Later on, he essentially told me that Mel Gibson has a private connection with President Trump, and this alone should be enough reason for me to suggest an action. He implied I should do so, and it would be prudent if I did. However, the conversation became pushy instead of cordial. She admitted she’d reflect on the issue more. On Friday, Oyer wrote to her superiors that it’s ultimately the attorney general who decides this matter, but she hasn’t suggested Gibson’s gun rights should be reinstated yet.

On Friday afternoon, Gibson learned that her position had been terminated. “This situation is risky,” stated Oyer to the Times, “It’s not about politics – it’s about safety concerns.

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2025-03-11 13:24