Sheriff: Give In to the Oregon Militia

Armed Oregon militiamen occupying the federal Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in an anti-government effort have convinced at least one local sheriff that officials should give in to their demands. More than three weeks into the occupation, Sheriff Glenn Palmer of neighboring Grant County told The Oregonian, “the government is going to have to concede something,” including freeing the local father and son who were sent to prison for arson charges, a move that launched the standoff. The sheriff also suggested that the FBI leave the area. “I just pray to God that cooler heads prevail and that no one gets killed,” Palmer said. Other law-enforcement officials were reportedly taken aback by Palmer’s sudden change of tune. Many, including Malheur County Sheriff Brian Wolfe, have said Palmer’s position “doesn't help the cause. If anything, it hampers the effort to end this.”