President Trump has given full pardons to Dwight and Steven Hammond, the father and son cattle ranchers whose arrest in connection with an Oregon fire led armed supporters to occupy a wildlife refuge in 2016.
President Trump on Tuesday pardoned the father and son from Oregon whose imprisonment for setting fires on federal land sparked a 41-day long takeover of a wildlife refuge in the state.
Trump signed the order granting clemency to 76-year-old Dwight Hammond and his son, Steven Hammond, 49, who were convicted of arson in 2012 for fires that burned on federal land in 2001 and 2006. Though they served their original sentences for the conviction — Dwight serving three months, Steven serving one year — an appellate judge ruled in 2015 that the terms were too short under federal minimum sentencing laws and the Hammonds were resentenced to serve the mandatory minimum.
“The Hammonds are multi-generation cattle ranchers in Oregon imprisoned in connection with a fire that leaked onto a small portion of neighboring public grazing land,” the White House said in a statement. “The evidence at trial regarding the Hammonds’ responsibility for the fire was conflicting, and the jury acquitted them on most of the charges.”
The statement added:
“Justice is overdue for Dwight and Steven Hammond, both of whom are entirely deserving of these Grants of Executive Clemency.”
Duane Ehmer rides his horse Hellboy at the occupied Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on the sixth day of the occupation of the federal building in Burns, Oregon on January 7, 2016.
Stella's Place 
Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding Executive Clemency for Dwight and Steven Hammond
Issued on: July 10, 2018
Today, President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Grants of Clemency (Full Pardons) for Dwight Lincoln Hammond, Jr., and his son, Steven Hammond. The Hammonds are multi-generation cattle ranchers in Oregon imprisoned in connection with a fire that leaked onto a small portion of neighboring public grazing land. The evidence at trial regarding the Hammonds’ responsibility for the fire was conflicting, and the jury acquitted them on most of the charges.
At the Hammonds’ original sentencing, the judge noted that they are respected in the community and that imposing the mandatory minimum, 5-year prison sentence would “shock the conscience” and be “grossly disproportionate to the severity” of their conduct. As a result, the judge imposed significantly lesser sentences. The previous administration, however, filed an overzealous appeal that resulted in the Hammonds being sentenced to five years in prison. This was unjust.
Dwight Hammond is now 76 years old and has served approximately three years in prison. Steven Hammond is 49 and has served approximately four years in prison. They have also paid $400,000 to the United States to settle a related civil suit. 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.
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I am so glad to hear that this injustice has been ended.
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Trump! MAGA! Draining the swamp and setting things right!
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🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
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Thank God. I have tears of joy in my eyes. The political prosecution of freedom loving ranchers and “cowboys” of the west may be coming to an end. May the Hammonds have peaceful lives and productive ranches I pray. Amen.
Please see my report Stella was so gracious to allow me to post at
about requesting a pardon for Jerry Delemus, who has already been imprisoned for just over 28 months of an 87 month sentence for peacefully keeping the peace at the Bundy ranch AFTER the standoff. Jerry has said if he had it to do over again he would not drive across country with his weapon. That is the only thing I see that he did against the law, and he has already been imprisoned for over 28 months.
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Excellent news!!
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Wonderful, wonderful news!!!
I imagine the BLM is fit to be tied.
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Well, they kinda always were.
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True that Wooly, but now they have enemies in high places 🙂 !
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