Bundy Verdict “A Moment of Real Accountability”

In response to the verdict handed down in a lawsuit against paramilitary leader Ammon Bundy brought by St. Luke’s Health System, Lindsay Schubiner, Programs Director at Western States Center, issued the following statement.

“Today’s verdict is a moment of real accountability for Ammon Bundy and his reckless campaign against St. Luke’s. His decision to target St. Luke’s and to use inflammatory, dishonest rhetoric about the hospital’s actions endangered both staff and patients. This verdict shows that the courts have the ability to treat this kind of threat with the seriousness it deserves.

“Communities in Idaho and across the country have a wide range of tools for confronting the anti-democracy threats posed by people like Bundy. Civil litigation is an important option, and St. Luke’s did the right thing by vigorously defending its rights. Bundy’s refusal to participate in this trial makes clear he thinks he is above the law—but ultimately that is not his decision to make.

“Bundy and his followers have a long history of meeting any attempts at accountability with violence aimed at government officials and ordinary citizens. Throughout his life and this trial, his response to every challenge has been the same: escalation. At every step, he has chosen to make threats of violence. Law enforcement should be vigilant for any attempts to threaten individuals engaged in this case.

“For years, Ammon Bundy has positioned himself as a martyr to his cause, but anyone watching this case can see that his actions only benefit one person: himself. This verdict is a big loss for Bundy, but a huge win for Idaho.”