In a blistering congressional hearing, a recently dismissed Justice Department pardon attorney accused agency leadership of persistent corruption. Her testimony was aimed at highlighting serious concerns over the Trump administration’s alleged misuse of power, undue influence in legal operations, and the expulsion of veteran civil servants.
Former pardon attorney Liz Oyer alleged that she was terminated after refusing to advise the restoration of gun rights to actor Mel Gibson, who had been convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence and was reportedly a friend of President Donald Trump. Oyer expressed that this incident epitomizes a distressing trend within the Department of Justice (DOJ), where political loyalty supersedes fair legal administration. She described her abrupt dismissal, where she was escorted out without explanation, as emblematic of a larger culture disrespecting public service decency.
This hearing marked the first instance under the current administration where former DOJ attorneys openly discussed their departures with Congress, expressing their apprehension about the department’s trajectory. The turnover of experienced legal professionals has been notable, with Attorney General Pam Bondi’s team reportedly demonstrating a lack of tolerance for internal dissent. An example provided involved a suspended attorney who admitted to a mistaken deportation to a notorious prison.
An advocacy leader for DOJ employees, Stacey Young, painted a grim picture of the current climate, asserting that public servants are under siege concerning their job security, integrity, and safety. The testimonies revealed a sense of unprecedented political pressure disrupting DOJ norms, leaving long-serving lawyers unnerved.
Oyer detailed alleged intimidation tactics by the DOJ, including a recent attempt to silence her by sending armed officers to her residence with a warning letter to deter her from testifying. Undeterred, she conveyed, “The letter was a warning … But I am here because I will not be bullied into concealing the ongoing corruption and abuse of power at the Department of Justice.”
The DOJ did not immediately comment on Oyer’s dramatic statements, although Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has previously dismissed her claims as inaccurate. Moreover, the department reportedly sought to use executive privilege to block her from disclosing details about her departure, citing the need to preserve presidential decision-making confidentiality.
Adding to the dissatisfaction, a former public corruption prosecutor resigned in protest over the DOJ’s decision to dismiss a case against New York Mayor Eric Adams. This prosecutor, Ryan Crosswell, highlighted that the dismissal appeared politically motivated, favoring Trump’s policies by leveraging Adams’ political influence. Crosswell described the incident as deeply troubling, questioning whether the DOJ was selectively prosecuting based on political biases.
Crosswell shared his personal conflict when pressured by senior DOJ officials to motion for the dismissal of the Adams case, suggesting career perks for compliance and repercussions for refusal. Choosing principle over job security, he resigned, emphasizing his unwillingness to remain in an environment that compromises legal integrity.
These testimonies underscore a growing concern about the DOJ’s impartiality and adherence to justice under the current administration’s influence—sentiments echoed throughout the congressional inquiry.