During the confirmation hearing for acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Republican senators challenged the credibility of Elizabeth Oyer, a former U.S. Pardon Attorney at the Department of Justice, focusing on her recommendations for clemency for federal death row inmates. Oyer, who served from April 2022 until her dismissal in March 2025, argued her firing was politically motivated, while Republicans contended her actions undermined her testimony.
Senators Josh Hawley, Eric Schmitt, and Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley pressed Oyer regarding a November 2024 memo where she recommended commuting the death sentences of 40 federal inmates. President Biden subsequently commuted the sentences of 37 of these individuals. Schmitt accused Oyer of having "no credibility" and prioritizing "murderers over victims," citing a Justice Department report that found her memo dedicated minimal space to victims' families' grievances.
Hawley highlighted specific cases, including Dylan Roof, convicted of the 2015 Charleston church shooting, and Robert Bowers, convicted in the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue shooting. Hawley questioned Oyer's reasoning for recommending clemency for Roof, citing his anxiety as a factor, and for Bowers, despite the jury's death sentence recommendation. Oyer defended her actions, stating she took her role as pardon attorney "extremely seriously" and that all individuals granted clemency would remain incarcerated for life, likely in maximum-security facilities.
Grassley also questioned Oyer about her recommendations, including that of Jorge Avila-Torrez, who was convicted of multiple murders. Oyer declined to answer specific questions, invoking executive privilege. She stated that all inmates who received clemency would remain incarcerated for the rest of their lives.
Democrats, including Sen. Cory Booker, defended Oyer, condemning the Republican senators' line of questioning as "outrageous" and "unacceptable badgering." Oyer's testimony also touched on Blanche's handling of the Epstein files and Ghislaine Maxwell's prison reassignment, which she raised as reasons Blanche should not be confirmed as attorney general.
