John Oliver: It’s ‘Frankly Incredible’ Justice Department Lawyer Was Fired Because ‘She Didn’t Think Mel Gibson, Best Known for His Work in Screaming, Should Have Guns’

John Oliver sounded off on a Justice Department official’s claim that she was fired for refusing to recommend that Mel Gibson‘s gun rights be restored, saying that the “Mad Max” and “Braveheart” actor is “best known for his work in screaming.”

Last Week, Elizabeth G. Oyer — a former pardon attorney in the Department of Justice — told the New York Times that she was fired the day after she refused to add Gibson’s name to a memo recommending nine candidates who should have their gun rights restored.

“It is frankly incredible she got fired because she didn’t think Mel Gibson, best known for his work in screaming, should have guns,” Oliver quipped on the latest episode of “Last Week Tonight.” “If you’ve forgotten the specifics of his various scandals, I recommend you check out his Wikipedia page.”

Oyer told the Times that she was weary of restoring Gibson’s rights since he pleaded no contest in 2011 to a misdemeanor charge of battering his then-girlfriend. However, she said she was encouraged to do so because of the actor’s “personal relationship with President Trump.” Days before Trump’s inauguration in January, he named Gibson, Sylvester Stallone and Jon Voight as “special ambassadors” to bring business back to Hollywood that has been lost to “foreign countries.”

After that, Oliver shifted his focus towards Gibson’s father, as the first part of his Wikipedia biography was particularly impressive.

“Hutton Peter Gibson was an American conspiracy theorist, Holocaust denier, writer on sedevacantism — which is a belief that there hasn’t been a valid pope since 1958 — a World War II veteran, the ‘Jeopardy!’ grand champion for 1968 and the father of 11 children, one of whom is the actor and director Mel Gibson,” Oliver said. “That is a fascinating man — and imagine having so many terrible views that producing Mel Gibson is not the worst thing about you.”

Representatives for Gibson did not immediately respond to EbMaster‘s request for comment. Oliver’s “Last Week Tonight” is streaming on Max.

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2025-03-17 14:52