Face of Oregon Standoff Denies Being its Leader
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — In a turnaround, the face of the occupation at a national wildlife refuge denied leading the standoff over federal control of public lands and defended receiving a government loan to help his business.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan Knight pressed Ammon Bundy on his claim that he wasn't the leader, pointing to earlier testimony in which he said he was "sort of" in charge. Bundy told Knight he teaches correct principles and lets people govern themselves. Bundy also acknowledged receiving a $530,000 U.S. Small Business Administration loan to help his commercial vehicle maintenance business.
He rejected that it made him a hypocrite. Bundy says he supports the federal government, but not its management of land within states. Bundy is among seven defendants charged with conspiring to impede federal employees from working on the refuge. Knight reminded Bundy that he testified the occupiers were there for a unified purpose.