The Daily Beast Podcast I Saw Trump's Brazen Cash for Pardons Scam: Lawyer
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Sep 28, 2025 
Liz Oyer, a former U.S. Pardon Attorney, exposes the transformation of the Justice Department's pardon process under Donald Trump into a pay-for-play scheme. She reveals shocking details about million-dollar price tags for pardons, including ones for January 6 rioters. Oyer contrasts Trump's blanket pardons with Biden’s more selective approach and discusses the harm to victims left behind. Additionally, she highlights the erosion of ethics within the DOJ and the dangerous implications for national security.
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Fired After Early Trump Transition
- Liz Oyer served as the U.S. Pardon Attorney under Biden and stayed into the first seven weeks of the Trump administration.
- She was removed and replaced by a known MAGA supporter after Trump took office.
Pardons Issued Outside DOJ Channels
- Trump's White House cut the pardon office out of clemency communications and issued sweeping January 6 pardons on day one.
- Career DOJ experts were kept out of the loop and surprised by public announcements.
Refused To Rearm Mel Gibson
- Oyer was asked to recommend restoring Mel Gibson's gun rights despite his domestic violence conviction.
- After she refused, she was fired and the restoration proceeded anyway.