Legal Experts Furious Over Trump Pardon of Arsonists Whose Actions Sparked Occupation of Federal...

[DonViejo]

Legal Experts Furious Over Trump Pardon of Arsonists Whose Actions Sparked Occupation of Federal Property

No Good Reason for These Pardons'

'As an Oregonian, I'm Disgusted'

By DAVID BADASH JULY 10, 201811:58 AM

President Donald Trump Tuesday morning pardoned two Oregon ranchers whose illegal actions inspired, or "sparked," a 41 day siege and occupation of federal government offices and land that culminated with the death of one of their supporters.

Many remember well Cliven Bundy, the racist rancher who owed over $1 million in grazing fees to the federal government. So-called "sovereign citizens" and "militia" men came to his aid in 2014 during a standoff that pitted the heavily armed anti-government extremists against federal law enforcement agents – the very people President Trump always claims to support.

In 2016, Bundy's sons, Ammon and Ryan Bundy, took over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County, Oregon, to protest the federal government's treatment of two local ranchers who had been convicted of arson on tens of thousands of acres of federal lands. Among the several fires they set, at least one of reportedly directly threatened the lives of at least four firefighters.

Those two ranchers, Dwight and Steven Hammond, were just pardoned by the President of the United States, and legal experts – along with some who personally lived through the occupation that forced area schools and businesses to close for over a month – are furious.

Calling the pardons "astonishing," former U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance, now a frequent legal contributor on MSNBC, wrote: "There is no good reason for these pardons. Trump is using a tool meant to do justice in a wholly arbitrary fashion."

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https://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/2018/07/legal-experts-and-locals-furious-over-trump-pardon-of-arsonists-whose-actions-sparked-41-day-occupation-of-federal-property/

[Freethinker65]

1. Next pardon Jarod Lee Loughner who was just exercising his 2nd amendment rights

And still the GOP and Trump loyalists would be supportive.

[kimbutgar]

2. They stole and wasted money from tax payers and Broke long standing laws with the occupation

This was strictly for his insane maga cult members in Nevada. Fortunately they are a minority in Nevada. More people in Las Vegas and Reno is turning more blue. I know several liberals from the Bay Area who are retiring to Reno because of the lower cost of living.

[Jim Lane]

24. None of the occupiers have been pardoned.

AFAIK these two ranchers didn't take part in the occupation. The government's decision to prosecute them, and to appeal the leniency of their sentences, sparked (or at least was the pretext for) the occupation, but that's different. It's not fair to hold the two ranchers responsible for what other people did in their names.

As to the merits of their own case, my general view is that mandatory minimum sentences are a way for politicians to look tough and to look as if they're taking firm action about a problem, without really addressing it. In this instance, the trial judge said that the mandatory minimum, as applied in this case, was unjust. There might well be a case to be made that the President should commute their sentences to time served. (I don't know enough about the facts to assess that.) That Trump chose instead to pardon them, when their guilt had been established in court, was just throwing red meat to the base.

[Soxfan58]

3. One reason!

Build a army, these guys have already proven they will stand up against federal agents.

[RandomAccess]

9. Exactly my thoughts -- Trump is assembling his own personal army

people who will be loyal to him when the shit hits the fans.

Bill Maher said the other night that liberals ought to rethink the whole thing about owning guns, and it's times like this when I remember that and contemplate.

[lunatica]

11. I'm coming to these conclusions also

I live happily alone but recently I’ve been wondering if I shouldn’t get a gun to protect myself.

I already chose to live in a gated condo because of being alone. At 70 too may people would see me as an easy target.

[flibbitygiblets]

16. If you do buy a gun (and I hope you DON'T), please buy a used one. No need to support the gun

manufacturers as an unintended result of this already insane theory of another civil war.

[RandomAccess]

21. I bought a gun in 1999

we moved to the country and for the first time I understood why people might legitimately want a gun: there are copperheads, wild hogs, rabid animals, etc.

So my son took me out to show me how to shoot. I've always had a real fear/loathing/hatred of guns. So I burst into tears when I fired my first shot. Don't really know why, there weren't any thoughts that went with that. It was just pure emotion devoid of thought or words.

I won't be buying a gun but I think your suggestion is a worthy one for anyone who does.

[area51]

29. And Trump wants

his own team of spies.

[dalton99a]

4. The King makes the law in Trumpworld

[Hoyt]

5. He needs some bodyguards that are willing to shoot federal agents.

[atreides1]

6. At this rate

Trump will be pardon Eric Rudolph and try to convince the governor of Kansas to commute Scott Roeder's sentence!!!

[Wellstone ruled]

7. Enough,I know a couple of these

Bundy Crowd members. They have just been given a right to threaten anyone on Federal Land. Sorry to say,had it happen.

When someone carrying a side Arm threatens you while you are hiking BLM land,it gets real damn fast.

[MyOwnPeace]

26. And I'm sure

all of those Federal Agents are appreciating his support at this time.

[Wellstone ruled]

28. Going to get intense for some time to come.

The Bundy Clan is a keg of dynamite with a lit fuse. And after today's Pardon's,going to get scary. Count on this crowd doing something stupid soon.

[BadGimp]

8. PUTIN WINS AGAIN

[DallasNE]

10. These Pardons Will Encourage Further Lawlessness

Will those arrested at Fredericksburg be the next to get pardons? Political pardons like this are unconscionable. Indeed, they should be considered as an abuse of power and be subject to impeachment.

[ancianita]

19. Exactly. Trump's practice of executive override against laws and courts is dictatorial tyranny.

[justgamma]

12. Who's next?

The couple who left the Bundy ranch and killed the cop in Vegas?

[Bernardo de La Paz]

13. All part of encouraging his base to oppose & dismantle & obstruct government. Putin cheers. . . . nt

[lunatica]

14. Is there even a modicum of doubt left yet

about what Trump won’t do to serve himself?

[Bernardo de La Paz]

15. Presidential pardon power needs to be limited somehow. Trump behaving like the king he wants to be.

[Cryptoad]

17. All Trumpsters are above the Law,,,,,,,!

[pangaia]

18. Do not joke about this...

This CLEARLY will encourage violence form the right, knowing they will get off.

And THAT is the whole intent.

[iluvtennis]

20. Pardoned cuz they were/are white racists...remember, they can do the wrong in eyes of Trump/Putin

[Gothmog]

22. This is a really stupid idea even coming from trump

[Calista241]

23. Oregon is never going to vote for Trump. He probably views this as funny.

I can just see him chuckling and going 'haha, watch this libtards."

[milestogo]

25. Trump is out of his fucking mind.

[MyOwnPeace]

27. And...........

he keeps proving it - daily!