A Department of Justice (DOJ) official who denied the reinstatement of gun rights for Mel Gibson, the 69-year-old Hollywood star and Trump-appointed “Hollywood Ambassador,” was fired without explanation.
The New York Times reported Wednesday that Elizabeth G. Oyer, who headed the DOJ’s pardon office, was dismissed last Friday.
Oyer claimed that she faced pressure from DOJ leadership to include Gibson, a close Trump ally, on the list of candidates for gun rights restoration. She alleges she was fired immediately after refusing to comply.
On January 16, Trump named Gibson, along with actors Sylvester Stallone and Jon Voight, as “Hollywood Ambassadors. ” These individuals are known for their fervent support of the president.
At the time, Trump wrote on Truth Social that these “very talented” individuals would serve as his “eyes and ears” in efforts to make Hollywood “bigger, better, and stronger than ever before” after losing substantial business overseas in recent years.
Oyer had recently led a task force focused on restoring gun ownership rights for individuals with criminal records. The team identified 95 candidates for consideration and submitted their list to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. Those selected were deemed to have a low risk of reoffending.
After submitting the list, Oyer reported that the Deputy Attorney General’s office narrowed it down to nine candidates and requested that Mel Gibson be added.
The office included a January letter from Gibson’s attorney to senior DOJ officials arguing that Gibson should have his gun rights restored due to his appointment as a presidential ambassador and his history of producing successful films.
The letter also noted that Gibson had attempted to purchase firearms in recent years but was repeatedly denied due to his past conviction for domestic violence.
In 2011, Gibson pleaded guilty to charges of assaulting his ex-girlfriend in a Los Angeles Superior Court. While avoiding jail time through a plea deal, he was sentenced to community service, counseling, and three years of probation.
Oyer stated she could not recommend Gibson for a pardon, citing the high risk of recidivism if a domestic violence offender regained gun ownership. She also noted that Gibson had not undergone the objective risk assessment required for the pardon process.
However, Oyer recounts that a senior official from the Deputy Attorney General’s office pressured her, suggesting that, given his relationship with President Trump, it would be “wise” to recommend Gibson.
Oyer says she conveyed her refusal to her superiors the next day and received her termination notice hours later.
The New York Times highlighted this incident as part of a broader pattern in the Trump administration. Senior attorneys crucial to DOJ decision-making have been repeatedly fired or demoted.
