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Washington • Rep. Rob Bishop, the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, said Wednesday that the federal government should use a "great deal of caution" and "compassion" in dealing with an armed group that has seized control of a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon.
"Violence should never be used and the threat of violence should never be used," Bishop said in an interview, "but I clearly understand the frustration people feel having to deal with land agencies."
The Utah Republican says he has been trying to raise concerns about how federal land managers treat residents in the West and that while the actions by the protesters are not a "great approach," he hopes the incident there ends without violence.
Roughly 20 armed men, led by Ammon Bundy, the son of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, seized a remote federal building in southeastern Oregon as part of a fight over control of public lands and have held it for four days.
Cliven Bundy was at the center of a 2014 standoff with federal authorities at his ranch over more than $1 million in late land-use fees and fines.
Pressed about the issue, many Republicans, who are not fans of the Obama administration's actions with regard to federal lands, said the protesters made a mistake by taking over federal property.
Sen. Mike Lee said Tuesday that the occupiers should put down their guns and leave, though he expects them to face criminal charges.
"I do think those who are occupying the federal facility should stand down," said the Utah senator, who may have some sympathy with their view of federal land management, though he disagrees strongly with their tactics. "I don't think they ought to be holed up in an armed standoff over this. I think it is a bad idea."
Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, said much of his district "exactly" mirrors the rural area of Oregon where the standoff is occurring, with large tracts controlled by the feds. But he says the occupation of a federal building isn't the right move.
"Look, it's not a good idea," he said, adding he, too, understands their frustration. "But this isn't the answer. This makes things worse. It doesn't make them better."
Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, said his door is open to the group members if they will peacefully end the standoff and want to talk.
"Threat and use of violence is not the way we resolve things," he said. "I understand the frustration, but they made their point. We don't want anybody to get hurt, and I would hope they would walk away peacefully."
Some members of the group that has taken over the Malheur National Wildlife headquarters, a popular bird-watching area, are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have justified their move using Mormon theology. The LDS Church issued a statement to "strongly condemn" the armed takeover of the government building. The Utah-based faith pointed to its 12th article of faith, which says: "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates, in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law."
All of Utah's members of Congress are Mormon.
While Lee expects federal charges against the group, Bishop says there are better ways to handle the protesters than locking them up.
Bishop referenced how the nation's first president dealt with the revolt among some distillers against America's first tax — known as the whiskey rebellion — after they were convicted of treason.
"Just remember when George Washington led the troops against the very first uprising," Bishop said, "he pardoned everyone afterwards."