Ammon Bundy: A Timeline of Political violence
Ammon Bundy is a name that has become synonymous with controversy, disruption, and reckless behavior. In 2016, Bundy and his band of armed militants unlawfully seized the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Oregon, endangering lives and undermining the very foundations of our democracy. Their actions were fueled by dangerous ideologies that disregard the rule of law and the safety of innocent individuals. This brazen act of defiance showcased Bundy's penchant for extremism and his willingness to trample on the rights of others.
More recently, Bundy's rhetoric has taken a drastic turn for the worse. His increasingly inflammatory, threatening, and extreme language serves as a breeding ground for hostility and potential violence. It is no longer a matter of mere disagreement or protest; Bundy's words have crossed the line into incitement and a clear disregard for the safety of individuals and institutions. His latest episode involving St. Luke's in Boise has threatened the safety of law enforcement officials and hindered their ability to perform the peace-keeping duties of their job. Threats and trespassing have become Bundy's chosen tools for expressing dissent, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. This behavior is not only unlawful but demonstrates a complete lack of respect for the well-being of others in Idaho.
His dangerous ideology has also become a presence in the Idaho Statehouse with far right legislators endorsing Bundy and his actions. Most notably in 2021, Representatives Dorothy Moon and Priscilla Giddings made public statements of support of Bundy while conducting official business on the House floor
What Happened with St. Lukes?
In spring 2022, a family was reported to Child Protective Services after failing to attend a crucial follow-up medical appointment for their infant son, whose severe malnourishment raised concerns. The family was pulled over by authorities during a routine traffic stop after being reported, and believing the 10-month-old was in imminent danger, the child was taken into protective custody and transported to St. Luke's for medical care and monitoring. The family was learned to be affiliated with Health Freedom Idaho, an anti-vaccine organization who supported Bundy during his gubernatorial run. Following this incident, Bundy and supporters from his group, the People's Rights Network, protested outside St. Luke's and demanded the child's release. Due to threats of violence by members of the group, the hospital was forced to go into lockdown to protect the safety of its staff and patients. Bundy was arrested for trespassing and has since been sued by St. Luke's. After failing to appear in court numerous times, Bundy was charged with contempt of court and a warrant was issued for his arrest; however, he has yet to be taken into custody due to escalating threats of violence toward law enforcement from Bundy and his supporters.
March 2022
St. Luke's transports baby Chavoya to the hospital for treatment for severe malnourishment. Bundy and Diego Rodriguez, grandfather of the child and author of the website Freedom Man Press, urge supporters from the People's Rights Network to protest outside the hospital. The group doxxed health care providers and CPS employees involved in the child's care, and encouraged supporters to protest at their homes as well.
Protesters blocked access to the ambulance bay, causing emergency vehicles to reroute patients to other facilities. The hospital went into lockdown in the interest of the safety of its patients and staff. After hospital administration attempted to reason with Bundy and were met with more threats, they called law enforcement to disperse the crowd from the bay. Bundy refused to comply and was placed under arrest on March 12 and charged with trespassing.
On March 15, Bundy went on his Twitter and urged his followers to return to St. Luke's to continue protesting outside the hospital.
“Everybody go back to the hospital...and begin, you know, making noise...we need to go back there and get this straightened out. Anybody who is [outside the courthouse] please go to the hospital. This is an emergency.”
april 2022
Ada County Court issued a protective order for St. Luke's against Bundy. His groups continued to post defamatory statements and dox employees from the Dept. of Health & Welfare online.
The People's Rights Network and Freedom Man Press posted claims that St. Luke's "kills and traffics" children. This resulted in ongoing harassment of DHW staff, St. Luke's administration, and the physician who cared for the infant.
may 2022
St. Luke's sues Bundy, The People's Rights Network, Freedom Man Press, and Freedom Man PAC on May 11 for defamation and harassment, listing Dr. Erickson as a co-plaintiff in the suit. The plaintiffs' stated Bundy and his groups violated the protection order and continue to engage in online harassment. The suit also states Bundy used the protest and subsequent arrest as a "money-making scheme" where he took in over $100,000 in donations from his supporters.
june & july 2022
Bundy and Rodriguez refused to respond to the lawsuit and court orders mandating the defamatory statements be taken down from the various sites. St. Luke's asked an Ada County court to impose sanctions because he continued to refuse to respond. Instead of responding, Bundy used the lawsuit as a talking point on the campaign trail during his run for Governor. A trial date is set for July 10, 2022.
Bundy was provided multiple opportunities to respond to the suit and sit for a deposition in lieu of a trial - he did not take advantage of said opportunities and continued making defamatory and false statements about St. Lukes, its staff, and the incidents that led to the Chavoya child to be taken into protective custody while on the campaign trail.
July - september 2022
Bundy and Rodriguez both failed to appear at the July 10 hearing. St. Luke's wished to move forward with the lawsuit, but Judge Norton stated the hospital lacked the proper paperwork. St. Luke's had to file their request for sanctions against Bundy and Rodriguez again. At this time, Rodriguez claimed to have fled to another country. Bundy continued to acknowledge the lawsuit publicly on social and at campaign events.
“Ada County is a wicked perverted cesspool.”
Judge Norton gave an order for the defendants to respond to questions by August 5.
By the next hearing, Bundy and Rodriguez, once again, failed to appear in court and respond to the August 5 deadline. They were found in contempt of court and ordered, again, to sit for depositions by September 30 and October 7, respectively. Their online harassment and calls for escalating violence continued, in spite of the contempt of court charges.
Meanwhile on the campaign trail, Bundy is seen giving a warm reception to known members of violent white supremacist groups at public events.
February - april 2023
On February 21, Bundy and Rodriguez failed to appear in court and respond to orders to sit for a deposition. In a YouTube video posted February 10, Bundy claims he did not post the defamatory statements, nor was he aware they were posted, however, he continued to make comments in interviews implying he was aware of statements of violence rhetoric being made on his behalf.
St. Luke's attorney stated the People's Rights Network continued to post information that violates Judge Norton's order. On April 12, Gem County Sheriff Wunder wrote a letter after attempting to serve Bundy with notice to appear paperwork that he is "becoming more and more aggressive with his behavior." On April 14, Wunder stated he could not continue to ask deputies to attempt to serve Bundy out of concern for their safety.
On April 18, Norton issued a warrant for Bundy's arrest finding probable cause that he was in contempt of court.
“I'm making moves to stop that from happening. And if I have to meet them on the front door with me, you know, friends and a shotgun, I'll do that.”
- Ammon Bundy
april 24, 2023
Bundy sent out an alert via text message to the People's Rights Network asking them to show up to his home to "support" Bundy after Gem County Sheriff deputies showed up to arrest him.
Supporters surrounded his property, many heavily armed, and refused to disperse. According to the Gem County Sheriff, Bundy was not home at the time.
may 2023
Throughout the month, Bundy and Rodriguez appear in various online videos and events making incendiary public statements with overtones of escalating threats of violence. There are numerous comments calling gem County Sheriff's Deputies "cowards" and stating that this is between "good and evil" and that his followers need to prepare to fight.
june 2023
People's Rights Network members defaced Gem County Sheriff vehicles and wrote statements like "Peace or War: you decide" in the sidewalk outside the building in response to their attempts to serve Bundy with an arrest warrant. This was after Bundy made a call to his supporters to call the Gem County Sheriff to tell them to stop attempting to serve the arrest warrant, and doxxed the Sheriff by sharing his private contact information. He also called for supporters to stand outside the Gem County Sheriff's office in an effort to intimidate deputies.
June 9: Protesters defacing Gem County Sheriff’s vehicle
June 21 | Interview with Bryan Hyde on YouTube
july 2023
St. Luke's filed court documents showing suspicion of Bundy moving or hiding assets in order to avoid paying legal fees. His supporters continued to camp out at his property and make threats toward sheriff's deputies during subsequent attempts to arrest him.
Bundy did not appear for the civil trial scheduled for July 10. The case proceeded without him.
On Monday, July 24, the jury found in favor of St. Luke's in the civil trial and that Bundy and Rodriguez are to pay $52 million in damages. Bundy or Rodriguez have yet to make public comments in response to the verdict.
