What the White House said:
“The Hammonds are devoted family men, respected contributors to their local community and have widespread support from their neighbors, local law enforcement and farmers and ranchers across the West. Justice is overdue for Dwight and Steven Hammond, both of whom are entirely deserving of these Grants of Executive Clemency.”
What witnesses said:
“Witnesses at trial, including a relative of the Hammonds, testified the arson occurred shortly after Steven Hammond and his hunting party illegally slaughtered several deer on BLM property. Jurors were told that Steven Hammond handed out ‘Strike Anywhere’ matches with instructions that they be lit and dropped on the ground because they were going to ‘light up the whole country on fire.‘”
One witness testified that he “barely escaped the eight to ten foot high flames caused by the arson. The fire consumed 139 acres of public land and destroyed all evidence of the game violations,” the release continues. (x)
Funny how Trump is all about law and order, but only from certain people. Of course they’re nothing but innocent “family men” who have support from their community despite almost killing fire fighters and people near their ranch. If they were a couple shades darker or a different religious affiliation would they have been pardoned? Or labeled as “domestic terrorists with no respect towards law enforcement”?
Trump:
a) wants to establish that he can pardon absolutely ANYONE, no matter ho despicable, and get away with it, thus establishing a precedent for pardoning himself if he’s ever charged, and
b) wants the extremist militias on his side in hopes that he’ll be able to sic them on us later.
Trump pardons Oregon cattle ranchers
Published
Artisan Scribbles 