Cliven Bundy met U.S. federal agents with an armed militia after receiving notice that his cattle were to be confiscated, a move that many conservatives supported. The Nevada rancher has not paid taxes on the land that his cattle graze on since 1993, and the Bureau of Land Management warned Bundy that he must pay the taxes or face consequences. Bundy refused to pay the taxes, and garnered a network of supporters that stood beside him armed and ready when the U.S. federal agents arrived to confiscate the cattle. A tense standoff ensued, after which the agents backed down and even returned cattle that had been confiscated to Bundy.
Reaction to Standoff
The standoff was covered extensively by new networks, especially Fox news, and many rallied to support Bundy. Many put Bundy and his actions on a pedestal, referring to him as a patriot. Others criticized Bundy for his refusal to adhere to government regulations, and criticized the government for backing down from the situation. The standoff fueled Bundy and the militia group, as well as hundreds of supporters that have come from miles to meet Bundy and view the ranch. Even Senator Rand Paul and Senator Dean Heller voiced their support for Bundy.
Racist Comments Impact
In an interview with the New York Times, Bundy made comments that have lost him much of his political support. Bundy discussed his feelings on ending slavery, stating : ”…I’ve often wondered, are they better off as slaves, picking cotton and having a family life and doing things, or are they better off under government subsidy?” This statement, as well as other comments on race, have outraged many people, including those that had previously lent support. Senator Paul could not be reached for comment, but a spokeperson for Senator Heller said that the senator “completely disagrees with Mr. Bundy’s appalling and racist statements, and condemns them in the most strenuous way.”