Militants in Oregon hijack government bulldozer to take down fence at occupied refuge


On Monday, the armed group occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Oregon, hijacked a federal Wildcat excavator and ripped out an 80-foot section of fence separating the public birding refuge from a private cattle ranch. "I feel like this is the first step of many in restoring ranchers' rights," group leader Ammon Bundy told reporters and the two dozen or so people occupying the nature preserve with him. He said the tearing down of the barbed wire will allow cattle from the Puckett family ranch to graze in the refuge.
Ammon and the handful of militants took over the Malheur refuge and federal buildings inside it on Jan. 2. They say they won't leave until the federal government turns over control of public lands in the area to the county. Most county residents oppose the Ammon gang's armed occupation, and the county sheriff, David Ward, has asked them to leave. On Monday, Ward said that reports of vandalism, harassment, and intimidation have risen sharply in the area since the out-of-state protesters arrived.
Birders are especially angry about the occupation, and worried about destruction caused by moves like Monday's vandalism. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which manages the reserve, isn't thrilled either. "This refuge belongs to the American public," said spokesman Jason Holm. "The steps they're taking — the occupation they're doing — actually robs the American public of experiencing one of the premier wildlife and birding refuges in the United States. It upsets us. But it should upset all Americans."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Giorgio Armani obituary: designer revolutionised the business of fashion
In the Spotlight ‘King Giorgio’ came from humble beginnings to become a titan of the fashion industry and redefine 20th century clothing
-
Crossword: September 13, 2025
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
-
Sudoku medium: September 13, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
-
House posts lewd Epstein note attributed to Trump
Speed Read The estate of Jeffrey Epstein turned over the infamous 2003 birthday note from President Donald Trump
-
Supreme Court allows 'roving' race-tied ICE raids
Speed Read The court paused a federal judge's order barring agents from detaining suspected undocumented immigrants in LA based on race
-
South Korea to fetch workers detained in Georgia raid
Speed Read More than 300 South Korean workers detained in an immigration raid at a Hyundai plant will be released
-
DC sues Trump to end Guard 'occupation'
Speed Read D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb argues that the unsolicited military presence violates the law
-
RFK Jr. faces bipartisan heat in Senate hearing
Speed Read The health secretary defended his leadership amid CDC turmoil and deflected questions about the restricted availability of vaccines
-
White House defends boat strike as legal doubts mount
Speed Read Experts say there was no legal justification for killing 11 alleged drug-traffickers
-
Epstein accusers urge full file release, hint at own list
speed read A rally was organized by Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, who are hoping to force a vote on their Epstein Files Transparency Act
-
Court hands Harvard a win in Trump funding battle
Speed Read The Trump administration was ordered to restore Harvard's $2 billion in research grants