Nevadan Rancher Cliven Bundy Arrested on Way to Support Protesters
Cliven Bundy, the Nevadan rancher known for the standoff between federal agents and armed protesters in 2014, was arrested on February 10.
The 74-year-old was reportedly on his way to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge to support four protesters calling for the removal of federal policing agents from Harney County, Oregon. Bundy’s son Ammon, who organized the protest, is now facing a felony charge on conspiracy to impede a federal official.
Cliven Bundy was accused of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States; assault on a federal officer by use of a deadly, dangerous weapon; carry and use of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence; interference with commerce by extortion; and obstruction of the administration of justice.
Most of the charges relate to incidents that took place April 12, 2014. The protesters Bundy was traveling to support surrendered to law enforcement officers the next day.
The Atlantic described the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s strategy in the latest protests as “patience.” It waited 41 days for the protesters in Malheur National Wildlife Refuge to give themselves up; and it waited nearly two years before arresting Cliven Bundy.
Protesters may have thought they won a battle in 2014 after forcing government officials to back down in the Bundy standoff, but federal officers played the long game: Every occupier is gone and now all the primary leaders are apprehended in jail.
U.S. citizens continue to vocalize distress over the way federal law is being enforced. But protests and standoffs associated with the Bundy family are only one side of a divide. Read “Oregon Standoff Spotlights Growing Divide on Issue of Federal Law Enforcement” to see how both sides believe law enforcement should change.