As a Constitutionalist, I’ve been asked for my take on the Malheur occipation.
It was doomed from the start.
Unconstitutional though it may be, the refuge, along with national parks, national forests, national “monuments”, national lands ad infinitum have been a part of U.S. history for more than two centuries. Very few of us even realize that they are unconstitutional and those of us who understand are viewed as kooks.
The occupiers were making a point that few besides themselves “got”. And making a point was the best possible outcome. There was certainly no way FedGov was going to cede the refuge to protesters. The occupation was a wasted effort, a fool’s errand.
Did I approve? No, I did not. Waste of manpower that we’re going to need later.
This usurpation of state powers will not be solved by peaceful protest or armed occupation. The very concept of “enumerated powers” is lost on FedGov. Only the states can fix this.