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ENROLLED ORIGINAL
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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
June 3, 2025
To recognize and commend Elizabeth G. Oyer for her distinguished public service, unwavering
commitment to justice, and principled leadership as the United States Pardon Attorney.
WHEREAS, Elizabeth G. Oyer, a resident of Washington, D.C., has dedicated her legal
career to championing the rights of the underserved, upholding constitutional protections, and
ensuring a fair and balanced justice system for all;
WHEREAS, Ms. Oyer began her legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Stanley
Marcus of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, laying the foundation for
a distinguished career defined by public interest advocacy and judicial integrity;
WHEREAS, Ms. Oyer served as an Assistant Federal Public Defender, advocating on
behalf of clients and upholding the constitutional right to counsel;
WHEREAS, Ms. Oyer later served as Senior Litigation Counsel for the Office of the
Federal Public Defender;
WHEREAS, Ms. Oyer brought her expertise to the private sector as a partner at Mayer
Brown LLP, one of the nation's leading law firms, where she practiced criminal and civil
litigation at the trial and appellate levels;
WHEREAS, in 2022, she was appointed by the U.S. Department of Justice as the Pardon
Attorney, becoming the first former public defender to ever lead the Office of the Pardon
Attorney—a historic appointment that brought a people-centered perspective to clemency
review;
WHEREAS, under her leadership, the Office of the Pardon Attorney worked to
streamline the clemency process, improve transparency, and prioritize equity—ensuring
applicants were treated with dignity regardless of their background, political affiliation, or media
visibility;
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WHEREAS, she emphasized a data-informed and community-responsive approach to
clemency, giving voice to advocates, families, and directly impacted individuals in shaping a
fairer pardon and commutation process;
WHEREAS, during her tenure, she also resisted unprecedented political pressure to
approve clemency requests that posed threats to public safety or lacked merit—most notably,
refusing to reinstate gun rights for individuals with domestic violence records despite significant
political backlash;
WHEREAS, her principled stand and commitment to the rule of law ultimately led to her
dismissal in March 2025, drawing national outcry and underscoring the importance of protecting
independent, ethical decision-making within the federal justice system;
WHEREAS, even after her dismissal, Ms. Oyer has remained a tireless advocate for
justice, testifying before Congress, writing publicly on the importance of clemency reform, and
continuing to mentor and support legal professionals committed to public interest law.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the “Elizabeth G. Oyer Recognition Resolution of 2025”
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and commemorates Elizabeth
G. Oyer for her unwavering dedication to justice, her historic leadership as Pardon Attorney, and
her lifelong commitment to serving others through the law.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.