FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 10, 2018
DENVER—In response to President Trump’s pardon of public lands arsonists Dwight and Steven Hammond, the Center for Western Priorities released the following statement from Executive Director Jennifer Rokala:
“Pardoning the Hammonds sends a dangerous message to America’s park rangers, wildland firefighters, law enforcement officers, and public lands managers. President Trump, at the urging of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, has once again sided with lawless extremists who believe that public land does not belong to all Americans.”
The arrest and arson conviction of the Hammonds inspired the armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in 2016.