Liz Oyer's Courage Should Be Praised, Not Maligned

Stacey Young, executive director and founder of Justice Connection, issued the following statement following the second day of hearings on the nomination of Todd Blanche to serve as Attorney General. Young testified alongside former Pardon Attorney Liz Oyer in April 2025, days after Blanche had DOJ send armed guards to Oyer’s house to intimidate her from appearing before Congress.

“Today, Liz Oyer courageously shared with Congress the circumstances of her illegal firing and subsequent retaliation by Todd Blanche. 

“She is one of hundreds of career public servants at the Justice Department who have been fired without notice and for unlawful reasons under Blanche’s leadership. Many, including Oyer,  have been publicly smeared with false or misleading rationalizations that DOJ has not made in court. Todd Blanche continued that pattern during his testimony yesterday, and members of the Senate shamefully followed his lead in their criticism of Oyer today.

“Senators should heed her testimony. Career employees at the Justice Department must be able to express their views on the law and department policy without fearing termination or retaliation. They must have the ability to make decisions based on the facts and the law, not whether their decision will anger the President or his allies. 

“When faced with that decision, Liz Oyer gave her honest opinion based on longstanding department policy and concerns for public safety. Todd Blanche fired her for it. 

“As former Attorney General Ashcroft testified today, the Attorney General has a responsibility to enforce the law uniformly. Todd Blanche has failed that test.”