Ten years ago, in Bunkerville, Nevada, a standoff between armed protesters and federal agents took place as supporters of cattle rancher Cliven Bundy forced the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to stop enforcing court orders to remove Bundy’s cattle from the rangeland. Despite the tense situation, no shots were fired, and the government backed down, releasing the impounded cattle. Since then, the Bundy family claims to have lived in relative peace, with no contact from the BLM. Cliven Bundy, now 77, continues ranching with his family, including many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The 2014 standoff at the Bundy ranch has left a lasting impact, with echoes being heard in subsequent events like the 2016 standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, led by Bundy’s sons, Ammon and Ryan. This led to their arrests and the death of a protest spokesperson, LaVoy Finicum. The events at Bunkerville and Malheur have been viewed as early warnings of the rise of the MAGA/Trump movement and a growing militia presence in the country. Despite federal prosecutors labeling the Bunkerville confrontation as an insurrection, no Bundy family member was convicted of a crime, with most charges resulting in acquittals or lesser convictions.
Today, more than 700 Bundy cattle graze in areas around the Bundy ranch and Gold Butte National Monument, designated by then-President Barack Obama in 2016. Conservation groups are suing to remove the cattle and protect the desert tortoise, a species threatened by habitat loss due to grazing. The Bundy family argues that the federal government does not have authority over the lands settled by their family over 150 years ago. They believe questions of local sovereignty have not been adequately addressed and maintain that a jury would agree with their stance.
The Bundy family, including 26-year-old Arden Bundy, continues ranching and actively documents their activities on social media, showcasing their daily routines, including roping bulls across the range. They see the 2014 standoff as a victory for their cause, as it resulted in the safe return of their cattle without any casualties. Should the government attempt to round up Bundy cattle again, they are prepared to mobilize their followers from YouTube and social media, potentially amassing a much larger group than in the previous standoff. The lasting impact of the events in Bunkerville continues to be felt, with implications for federal land management policies and the rise of insurrectionist movements in the country.
