BLM OVERREACH—DEATH IN THE DESERT: The 'Shoot to Kill and Cover-Up' Policy Behind the Standoff on the Bundy Ranch
It was stated that the standoff was the "straw that broke the camel's back" and that they feel this has been a "culture of intimidation" by the federal government.
Following the abandonment of the operation by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the National Park Service (NPS) in 2014, a grave of slaughtered cattle was found and unearthed in the Toquop Wash near Bunkerville, Nevada. Reports by Griff Jenkins on "On the Record" indicated an unknown number of cows were buried. Cliven Bundy accuses BLM wranglers of allegedly killing the livestock, including two prized bulls shot multiple times.
The Court Order vs. The Operation— BLM Defied Court Order to Seize, Not Destroy
The BLM stated these were federal lands and they did not need permission to destroy illegal fences, water lines, or other structures to restore the land to its natural state. Critics argue the government is subject to the laws and should pay for the property they destroy.
While a federal court order granted the BLM authority to seize and impound Bundy’s cattle, Fox News reporting indicated the agency's actions appeared to go beyond this mandate.
The BLM asserted it needed to remove "illegal" structures—specifically water tanks, piping, and corrals—to restore the federal land to its natural state. However, reporting by William La Jeunesse noted that the court order justifying the operation appears to have given the agency authority only to seize and impound the cattle, not to destroy property or infrastructure.
Dan Love and the BLM Army: An Examination of the Excessive Force Used in Nevada.
The showdown between federal agents and protesters at the Bundy ranch has been cited as a case of overkill and part of a larger pattern of "heavy handed tactics" and "grossly excessive force" by the federal government.
The government was criticized for showing up with an "army pointing m16s" not only at Bundy's family but at protesters and news entities. This was labeled as a "gross unacceptable unlawful accumulation of firepower."
It was stated that the standoff was the "straw that broke the camel's back" and that they feel this has been a "culture of intimidation" by the federal government.
Source Reference: The context for this article is drawn from the video: Did a "Shoot to Kill and Cover-Up" Policy Set the Stage for The Bundy Ranch Standoff ?
https://youtu.be/_Igi4S4ImLE?si=pVuar3YhxZy4ojsQ
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