In a dramatic legal battle, Elizabeth Oyer, a former Justice Department attorney, has accused Attorney General Todd Blanche of unlawfully terminating her position after she refused to assist in restoring gun rights to actor Mel Gibson.

The complaint, filed on Thursday in federal court in Washington, D.C., alleges Oyer was dismissed just hours after she expressed concerns about the implications of recommending that Gibson regain his gun rights, which he lost following a domestic violence conviction.

Oyer, who served as the department’s pardon attorney until March 2025, argues that Blanche, who was the deputy attorney general at the time, overstepped legal boundaries in executing her termination without just cause.

According to the lawsuit, Blanche’s memo cited no misconduct on Oyer’s part and lacked any legitimate explanation for her removal, violating her rights under federal civil service law and the Constitution.

The memo she received simply stated, “Pursuant to Article II of the Constitution and the laws of the United States, your employment with the Department of Justice is hereby terminated.”

Blanche, who was later confirmed as attorney general by the Senate, previously represented President Donald Trump in various legal matters, adding a layer of political intrigue to the case.

The conflict began when Oyer was tasked with evaluating requests to restore gun rights lost due to non-violent felony convictions. She produced a list of 95 individuals she believed deserved consideration, which was subsequently narrowed down to nine by Blanche’s staff.

Among the names proposed to be added to the list was Mel Gibson, who sought the restoration of his gun rights despite numerous concerns regarding his past behavior. Oyer expressed doubts about the safety implications of restoring such rights in Gibson’s case, particularly given the alarming statistics surrounding domestic violence.

The justification for her dismissal became even murkier when a senior official from Blanche’s office allegedly pressured her to recommend Gibson’s reinstatement, citing his personal ties to Trump.

Oyer communicated her inability to support restoring Gibson’s rights based on her team’s lack of information about his case, stating the decision ultimately belonged to the attorney general.

Just hours after her decision, she was called into her office, where DOJ security officers were waiting with her termination paperwork, abruptly escorting her out.

The lawsuit stresses that Oyer’s firing did not conform to federal regulations, which require a legitimate cause for firing a senior career executive and a 30-day notice period with the opportunity to respond.

Interestingly, Oyer argues that Blanche had no legal authority to terminate her since he was not the attorney general at the time of her dismissal; Pam Bondi held that role.

The lawsuit seeks six counts against the government and requests a judge declare her termination void and order her reinstatement.

This case comes amid broader controversy over the Justice Department’s handling of personnel matters related to Trump and his administration. Since January 2025, multiple DOJ employees linked to Trump cases have faced termination.

While serving as attorney general, Blanche reportedly worked to settle a lawsuit involving Trump against the IRS—an action that has drawn scrutiny from various judicial figures.

In a Senate confirmation hearing, Blanche remarked that Oyer’s actions while pardon attorney contradicted the administration’s stance, highlighting a growing divide over the department’s direction.

Oyer’s situation reflects ongoing challenges within the Justice Department, particularly in navigating the delicate balance between legal responsibilities and political affiliations.

As Oyer’s case continues to unfold in federal court, it underscores the complexities of accountability and ethics within a politically charged environment.