Bulwark Takes Trump Can’t Pardon State Crimes. He’s Trying Anyway. (w/ Liz Oyer)
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Nov 11, 2025 
Liz Oyer, a former U.S. Pardon Attorney and expert on clemency, joins to discuss the controversial pardons issued by Trump for allies like Rudy Giuliani. She highlights the unprecedented and corrupt nature of these actions, questioning their implications on public trust in the justice system. Oyer delves into the loopholes Trump may exploit, especially regarding state crimes, and critiques the normalization of this kind of clemency abuse. The conversation raises concerns about a potential 'pay-for-play' dynamic in political pardons.
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Firing Over Refusing A Famous Favor
- Liz Oyer recounts being fired for refusing to restore Mel Gibson's gun rights.
- She was removed after declining to return his firearms privileges during the Trump transition.
Pardons Are Being Used To Test Constitutional Limits
- Trump has used the pardon power in unprecedented, destructive ways that undermine public confidence in justice.
- He is testing boundaries by attempting to pardon state-law election offenses, which the Constitution likely forbids.
Pardons Aimed At Shielding State Election Probes
- The recent pardons appear targeted at state-law election offenses to try to shield allies from state prosecutions.
- That strategy could be intended to establish precedent for pardoning state crimes indirectly.