Ex-DOJ Lawyer Sues Over Firing Linked to Mel Gibson Gun Rights Case
On September 3, 2026, Elizabeth Oyer sued DOJ for wrongful firing over Mel Gibson gun rights.
Why it matters: The lawsuit highlights potential violations of legal ethics and DOJ independence tied to political pressure in high-profile clemency decisions, crucial for legal professionals watching DOJ integrity.
- Elizabeth Oyer filed her lawsuit on September 3, 2026, alleging wrongful termination by DOJ.
- She served as a pardon attorney at DOJ from April 2022 until her firing in March 2025.
- Oyer claims Deputy AG Todd Blanche’s staff pressured her to restore actor Mel Gibson’s gun rights due to his Trump ties.
- Blanche denies knowledge of Gibson’s case and attributes Oyer’s firing to her controversial clemency recommendations during Biden’s term.
Elizabeth Oyer, a former Department of Justice pardon attorney, filed a lawsuit on September 3, 2026, alleging she was unlawfully terminated in March 2025 after refusing to recommend restoring gun rights to actor Mel Gibson. Gibson had lost his gun rights due to a 2011 misdemeanor spousal battery conviction.
Oyer contends that staff connected to then-Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche pressured her to include Gibson on a list for restoration of gun rights because of his links to former President Donald Trump. Oyer documented public safety concerns in a memo rejecting the recommendation. Shortly after, DOJ fired her and escorted her from federal premises.
Todd Blanche has denied awareness of Gibson's case at the time of Oyer's dismissal. In a statement to Law.com, he attributed Oyer's firing to her controversial clemency recommendations, which included proposals to commute nearly all federal death row sentences during the Biden administration that were not fully granted.
Oyer disputes this rationale and argues her termination violated her civil service protections and First Amendment rights. Her lawsuit seeks reinstatement and emphasizes maintaining DOJ’s integrity against political influence.
This case raises significant questions about legal ethics and DOJ independence, especially surrounding clemency and pardon decisions involving politically connected figures. Legal departments and law firms closely monitoring DOJ conduct should note the potential implications for internal policy and ethical standards.
Documents filed provide limited insight into the internal communications about Gibson’s case, leaving questions about DOJ’s decision-making process unresolved. The lawsuit’s outcome remains pending.
By the numbers:
- September 3, 2026 — Date Elizabeth Oyer filed the lawsuit
- March 2025 — Month Oyer was fired from DOJ
- 2011 — Year Mel Gibson lost his gun rights due to misdemeanor spousal battery conviction
What's next: No court rulings have yet been issued; the legal process will likely unfold over 2027 with possible broader DOJ reviews.