MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace addressed new reporting that a Justice Department pardon lawyer was ousted after refusing to support restoring actor Mel Gibson’s gun rights. Gibson, who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor battery charge in a domestic violence case, had sought to regain his firearms privileges with the backing of President Donald Trump.
Gibson, who has been floated as Trump’s potential “ambassador” to Hollywood, was at the center of a controversy that led to the departure of former DOJ pardon lawyer Elizabeth G. Oyer. Oyer recounted a tense 15-minute conversation in which a DOJ official “approached the line of bullying.”
More: VP J.D. Vance’s Cousin Warns: U.S. Is Letting Russia Exploit Ukraine Ceasefire
More: Speaker Mike Johnson’s Chief of Staff Arrested for DUI After Crashing Into SUV
Her spokesperson later clarified that no explicit threats were made. Wallace framed the incident as part of a broader pattern of Trump’s allies being linked to allegations of abuse, assault, or violence against women.
“Here is just a smattering of the Trump associates or people in his inner circle who he has not purged from his inner circle after questions or accusations in this sort of category have arisen,” Wallace said.
She proceeded to read a series of headlines that outlined allegations against individuals connected to Trump:
- Politico (2018): White House aide Rob Porter resigned after allegations from ex-wives.
- NBC (2018): Brett Kavanaugh accuser Ford testified she “believed he was going to rape her.”
- The 19th (January 2025): Pete Hegseth said he settled a sexual assault accusation for $50,000.
- Washington Post (2017): “Woman says Roy Moore initiated sexual encounter when she was 14 and he was 32.”
- ESPN (2023): UFC’s Dana White apologizes for physical altercation with wife in October 2017.
- NBC (October 2017): Bill O’Reilly settled a sexual harassment claim for $32 million.
- NBC (January 2023): Former Fox News employee sues network alleging Roger Ailes sexually abused her.
- CNN (December 2024): Lawsuit alleges Linda McMahon enabled sexual abuse of children.
- Reuters (July 2024): Woman who accused RFK Jr. of sexual assault says he apologized by text.
- AP (December 2024): House Ethics Committee accuses Matt Gaetz of paying for sex, including with a 17-year-old girl, back in 2011.
- People (March 2011): Mel Gibson reaches plea deal in domestic violence case.
More: Ex-SSA Chief Warns Trump Is Dismantling Social Security, Pushing System…
More: Trump’s Tariff Push Deepens GOP Divide, Sparks Backlash from Conservatives
“It is not a bug, it is something that exists in multiple instances,” Wallace emphasized. Author and former Republican staffer Amanda Carpenter echoed Wallace’s concerns, stating, “It is a fact that allegations, lawsuits, stories, and documented evidence of sexual assault are not a deal breaker to be in Donald Trump’s inner circle.”
The controversy over Gibson’s gun rights request and Oyer’s forced departure adds to the mounting scrutiny over Trump’s reported tolerance of individuals with histories of alleged misconduct.
For You:
- “She’s Very Lonely” Jennifer Aniston Struggles to Find Love as Ex Moves On
- “It’s Literally a Federal Crime” Trump Slammed for Threatening to Use IRS Against Critics in Fiery Oval Office Rant
- Single Dad Lured to Fake Date and Murdered by Teen Girl’s Boyfriend
- Ben Affleck talks about Jennifer Lopez in a recent appearance
- “Trump Just Met His Match” Robert Reich Says China, Harvard and Supreme Court Are Ready to Crush His Power Plays