Former U.S. pardon attorney Liz Oyer has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice, alleging she was wrongfully terminated after refusing to back a request to restore actor Mel Gibson’s gun‑ownership rights. Oyer, who was dismissed in March 2025, says her removal was retaliation for standing up to political pressure and for adhering to legal standards that barred the recommendation. Her case comes amid a broader shake‑up at the DOJ, where a wave of dismissals and reassignments has raised concerns about the agency’s independence and internal morale. The lawsuit could set a precedent for how whistle‑blowers and career officials are protected when they clash with senior officials over controversial policy decisions.
Former U.S. pardon attorney Liz Oyer is suing the Department of Justice (DOJ) over her termination, which took place last year after she refused to recommend that actor Mel Gibson have his gun rights restored. Oyer was dismissed in March 2025, one of many in an early wave of dismissals and reassignments at the DOJ in the...
