BURNS, Ore. (AP) — The latest on armed people who have taken over a federal building at an Oregon wildlife refuge (all times local):
11:50 a.m.
The White House says President Barack Obama is aware that an armed anti-government group has taken over a remote national wildlife refuge in Oregon and hopes it can be resolved peacefully.
White House press secretary Josh Earnest said at a Monday briefing that the administration’s concern is for the safety of federal employees at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge but that none of them is in danger.
He says the FBI is monitoring the situation and offering support to local law enforcement.
The armed group came to the frozen high desert of eastern Oregon to contest the prison sentences of two ranchers who set fire to federal land, but their ultimate goal is to turn over the property to local authorities so people can use it free of U.S. oversight.
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11:45 a.m.
An attorney for two Oregon ranchers whose impending prison sentences led an armed group to take over a national wildlife refuge says they will seek clemency from the president.
Kendra M. Matthews, a lawyer for Dwight and Steven Hammond, said Monday that the father and son will ask President Barack Obama to pardon them. They were convicted of arson for setting fires on federal land in 2001 and 2006 and served some prison time.
A judge said in October that their terms were too short and ordered them back to prison. Matthews reiterated that the Hammonds intend to surrender Monday to begin serving their terms.
Their sentences have been a rallying cry for the group who say they ultimately want to turn over the refuge land to local authorities so people can use it free of U.S. oversight.
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