Skip to main content
2 min read
◆ Mixed look for SchmittEthics / CorruptionCriminal Justice

Former DOJ lawyer blames Missouri senators for inciting death threats against her

Schmitt questioned Oyer about her recommendation to commute federal death sentences and later defended that line of questioning through a spokesperson.

Former DOJ lawyer blames Missouri senators for inciting death threats against her
Image · KCUR - Kansas City news and NPR

SOURCE CHECK

TAP FOR WHY
Host credibilityKCUR - Kansas City news and NPRNOT RATED
This article1 analysis · Oct 2, 2026

Credibility rates KCUR - Kansas City news and NPR, which republished this story. The other scores rate the article itself.

Republished with credit

Republished from Columbiamissourian, with credit to the original publisher.

tl;dr

Former DOJ lawyer Elizabeth Oyer says Missouri Sens. Eric Schmitt and Josh Hawley helped provoke threatening messages after questioning her at a Senate Judiciary hearing. The senators defended their focus on her recommendation to commute federal death sentences, which Oyer says Hawley misrepresented.

Community verdict

22 VOTES
How does this story look for
Eric Schmitt R · MO · SEN
● OPEN

People in this story

SWIPE →
Eric Schmitt
R · MO · SEN

Missouri senator who questioned Oyer at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Josh Hawley
R · MO · SEN

Missouri senator who questioned Oyer and defended his conduct at the hearing

Hawley's version of this story ↗
Todd Blanche
R · Attorney General

Attorney general nominee whose confirmation hearing included Oyer’s testimony

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who nominated Blanche

Former president who commuted 37 federal death sentences

ALSO MENTIONED  Elizabeth Oyer, Former Justice Department lawyer who posted a video blaming the senators for threats against her

Part of a bigger story

3 OUTLETS
Former DOJ Lawyer Says Schmitt and Hawley Helped Provoke Death Threats

Former DOJ lawyer Elizabeth Oyer says she received death threats after a Senate Judiciary hearing and blames Sens. Eric Schmitt and Josh Hawley. Schmitt had questioned her about recommendations to commute federal death sentences; the senators defended their questioning. Left-leaning outlets foreground Oyer's allegation that the senators helped provoke the threats, while including their defenses.

Discussion · 0

What's your take?

Loading comments…