History of Ammon Bundy in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 26, 2024

Ammon Edward Bundy is an American activist known for his anti-government stance and actions. He gained notoriety as the leader of the 2016 armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. Ammon is the son of Cliven Bundy, a rancher who was at the center of the 2014 Bundy standoff, a conflict with federal authorities over unpaid grazing fees on public land in Nevada. Both incidents highlight the family's resistance to federal authority and land management practices.

September 1, 1975: Ammon Bundy's Birth

Ammon Edward Bundy was born on September 1, 1975.

2014: Involvement in the Bundy Standoff

Ammon Bundy actively participated in the 2014 Bundy standoff in Nevada, a tense confrontation sparked by his father, Cliven Bundy's, refusal to pay grazing fees on federal land.

2014: Bundy Standoff

In 2014, Ammon Bundy and others were involved in a standoff with federal agents in Nevada. This event led to subsequent charges and legal proceedings.

2014: Dismissal of Charges Related to 2014 Bundy Standoff

In August 2020, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the dismissal of charges against Ammon Bundy and others related to the 2014 armed standoff in Nevada.

2015: Inspiration from the Hammond Case

In 2015, Ammon Bundy became aware of the case of ranchers Dwight and Steve Hammond, who were sentenced to prison for arson on federal land. This case inspired his actions at the Malheur Refuge in 2016.

January 2, 2016: Start of the Malheur Refuge Occupation

On January 2, 2016, motivated by the case of ranchers Dwight and Steve Hammond, Ammon Bundy initiated an armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters. He named his group "Citizens for Constitutional Freedom."

January 2016: Court Appearance and Plea Offer

In January 2016, during a court appearance, Ammon Bundy explained his motives for the Malheur Refuge occupation, stating his aim was to "protect freedom." He offered to plead guilty to a conspiracy charge in exchange for dropping charges against other militants, but prosecutors rejected the offer.

January 26, 2016: Arrest of Ammon Bundy

Ammon Bundy was arrested on January 26, 2016, while traveling from the Malheur Refuge occupation to a public meeting in John Day, Oregon. During the arrest, a shootout occurred, resulting in the death of LaVoy Finicum, another militant involved in the occupation.

February 7, 2016: Indictment for the Bundy Standoff

On February 7, 2016, Ammon Bundy, his father Cliven, brother Ryan, and others were indicted on 16 felony counts related to their involvement in the 2014 Bundy standoff.

March 8, 2016: Superseding Indictment in Malheur Refuge Case

On March 8, 2016, a federal grand jury in Oregon issued a superseding indictment, charging Ammon Bundy and 25 others with various crimes related to the Malheur Refuge occupation.

April 2016: Transfer to Nevada and Arraignment

In April 2016, Ammon Bundy and other defendants facing charges in both the Oregon and Nevada cases were transferred to Las Vegas. During an arraignment, they refused to enter pleas, prompting the judge to enter not-guilty pleas for them.

April 16, 2016: Not-Guilty Plea in Bundy Standoff Case

On April 16, 2016, Ammon Bundy and four other militants refused to enter pleas in a Nevada court regarding their roles in the 2014 Bundy standoff. As a result, not-guilty pleas were entered on their behalf.

May 2016: Motion to Dismiss Indictments Rejected

In May 2016, Ammon Bundy's legal team's attempts to dismiss the indictments against him were rejected by U.S. District Judge Anna J. Brown. The judge cited established legal precedent upholding the federal government's authority over public land management.

May 26, 2016: Change of Legal Counsel

Ammon Bundy changed his legal representation on May 26, 2016, replacing the Arnold Law Firm with J. Morgan Philpot and Utah attorney Marcus Mumford.

June 10, 2016: Dismissal of One Firearms Charge

On June 10, 2016, Judge Brown dismissed one of the two firearms charges against Ammon Bundy and seven other militants. The court found that the related conspiracy charge didn't meet the legal criteria for a "crime of violence."

July 2016: Guilty Pleas in Oregon Standoff Case

In July 2016, six weeks before the start of the first trial related to the Oregon standoff, nine of Ammon Bundy's fellow militants, including some from his "inner circle," pleaded guilty. Two of these individuals were reportedly in negotiations for a resolution to a federal indictment in Nevada as well. By August, the number of militants pleading guilty had risen to eleven.

July 2016: Request for Trial Delay Denied

In July 2016, the court denied a request by Ammon Bundy's lawyers to postpone his trial.

September 7, 2016: Jury Selection Begins for Bundy Trial

Jury selection for Ammon Bundy's trial commenced on September 7, 2016, with Judge Brown acknowledging the need for a larger-than-usual jury pool. Eleven out of 31 potential jurors were excused due to various reasons, including opinions on the occupation and personal hardships.

September 9, 2016: Potential Jurors Identified for Bundy Trial

By September 9, 2016, 62 individuals were identified as potential jurors for Ammon Bundy's trial. Ultimately, twelve jurors (eight women and four men) and eight alternates were selected.

September 13, 2016: Opening Statements Scheduled

Opening statements for Ammon Bundy's trial were scheduled for September 13, 2016.

September 2016: Motion for "Cowboy" Attire in Court

In September 2016, Ammon Bundy, represented by his lawyers, filed a motion requesting permission to wear "cowboy" attire in court. Judge Brown denied the motion, citing security concerns and stating that Bundy's attire did not prejudice his case.

October 27, 2016: Acquittal of Ammon Bundy and Others

On October 27, 2016, a jury acquitted seven defendants, including Ammon Bundy, in the Oregon standoff case. While five were released, Ammon and his brother Ryan remained in custody awaiting trial for charges related to the 2014 Bundy standoff.

2016: Leadership of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Occupation

In 2016, Ammon Bundy spearheaded the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, protesting federal land management policies.

2016: Dismissal of Charges Related to 2016 Malheur Refuge Occupation

In August 2020, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the dismissal of charges against Ammon Bundy and others related to the 2016 armed protest and occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon.

February 14, 2017: Trial Date Set for Co-defendants

A trial date of February 14, 2017, was set for nine co-defendants in the Oregon standoff case.

February 2017: Trial Date Set for Bundy Standoff Case

The trial for the Bundy standoff case was scheduled for February 2017 in Nevada.

January 8, 2018: Mistrial Declared in Bundy Standoff Case

On January 8, 2018, U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro declared a mistrial in the Bundy standoff case, effectively dismissing the charges due to concerns about a fair trial.

December 2018: Bundy Disavows Militia Movement

Ammon Bundy publicly disavowed the militia movement in December 2018, citing his disagreement with President Trump's immigration policies, particularly concerning the Central American migrant caravan. He criticized the generalization of migrants as criminals and emphasized the plight of families seeking asylum. Bundy differentiated between nationalism and patriotism, drawing parallels between the contemporary United States and 1930s Nazi Germany, going as far as comparing Trump to Hitler.

March 2020: Founding of People's Rights Network

Ammon Bundy established the People's Rights Network (PRN) in March 2020, asserting that it was not inherently anti-government but prepared to oppose any government infringement on rights. Despite Bundy's claim of over 60,000 members, the Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights (IREHR) estimated the group's membership at approximately 33,000 in 2021.

March 2020: Creation of People's Rights Network and COVID-19 Protests

In March 2020, Ammon Bundy established the People's Rights network, a far-right group. He was arrested multiple times for protesting and disrupting Idaho's COVID-19 mitigation measures.

March 26, 2020: Bundy Challenges Stay-at-Home Order

Following Idaho Governor Brad Little's issuance of a stay-at-home order on March 26, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ammon Bundy held a meeting in Emmett, Idaho. During this meeting, Bundy pledged to provide legal, political, and physical support to those facing pressure to comply with the order.

April 21, 2020: Protest at Police Officer's Home

On April 21, 2020, Ammon Bundy and a group of approximately 40 individuals gathered outside the residence of a police officer who had arrested anti-vaccination activist Sara Walton Brady for misdemeanor trespassing. The group stood outside the officer's home for 30 minutes in protest.

July 2020: Bundy Voices Support for Social Justice Movements

In July 2020, Ammon Bundy expressed support for the Black Lives Matter movement, advocating for police defunding and prison abolition. He argued that the police posed a greater threat than Black Lives Matter and called for a reduction in government funding, particularly for law enforcement.

August 2020: Appeal Denied in Bundy Standoff Case

In August 2020, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld the dismissal of the Bundy standoff case, agreeing that the prosecution's withholding of documents had impacted the fairness of the trial.

August 24, 2020: Protest Against Mask Mandate at Idaho State Capitol

On August 24, 2020, Ammon Bundy led a demonstration of maskless protesters at the Idaho State Capitol, objecting to the state's mask mandate implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bundy and the protesters disrupted an emergency legislative session discussing legal immunity related to reopening public schools in Idaho.

August 25, 2020: Arrest for Trespass and Resisting Arrest

On August 25, 2020, the speaker of the Idaho House of Representatives ordered the closure of the auditorium at the State Capitol and instructed protesters to disperse. Ammon Bundy, along with three others, defied the order to leave and were subsequently arrested for criminal trespass. Bundy faced an additional charge of resisting arrest and was forcibly removed from the building in a rolling chair while handcuffed.

August 26, 2020: Second Arrest for Trespass and Resisting Arrest

On August 26, 2020, Ammon Bundy returned to the Idaho State Capitol during the ongoing emergency legislative session, accompanied by a group of protesters. Despite being served with a no-trespass letter from the Governor of Idaho, the Speaker of the House, and a state administrative official, Bundy refused to vacate the premises. Consequently, he was arrested again by Idaho State Police for criminal trespass and resisting arrest, ultimately being removed from the building in a wheelchair while handcuffed.

August 31, 2020: Bundy Presents His Perspective on Capitol Protests

On August 31, 2020, Ammon Bundy released an hour-long video on YouTube, providing his account of the events at the Idaho State Capitol that led to his arrest following two days of protests during the Idaho Legislature Special Session. Bundy asserted that he had obtained permission from the Speaker of the House to attend the special session and maintained that he had remained respectful of the legislative process and peaceful throughout the protests. He denied any involvement in organizing or leading the protests and claimed that the protesters acted independently when they disrupted the emergency legislative session.

October 2, 2020: Bundy Refuses to Wear Mask at Football Game

On October 2, 2020, Ammon Bundy attended a high school football game and refused to wear a mask, leading to him being denied entry. After trying to watch from the parking lot, he refused to leave and the game was stopped at halftime due to threats made by those who refused to wear masks.

March 15, 2021: Bundy Arrested for Refusing to Wear Mask in Courthouse

Ammon Bundy was arrested again on March 15, 2021, for refusing to wear a mask inside an Idaho courthouse. This incident also caused him to miss a court date for previous offenses related to protests at the Idaho legislature.

May 21, 2021: Bundy Files to Run for Idaho Governor

Ammon Bundy filed paperwork on May 21, 2021, to run for governor of Idaho in the 2022 election. However, his paperwork was rejected due to not meeting the state's requirements.

June 19, 2021: Bundy Announces Bid for Idaho Governor

On June 19, 2021, Ammon Bundy officially announced his candidacy for governor of Idaho, running on a platform of protecting individual rights and reducing taxes.

June 28, 2021: Bundy's Trial for Trespassing and Resisting Arrest Begins

Ammon Bundy's trial for trespassing and resisting arrest began on June 28, 2021.

July 1, 2021: Bundy Found Guilty of Trespassing and Resisting Arrest

On July 1, 2021, Ammon Bundy was found guilty on all charges related to trespassing and resisting arrest. He was sentenced to 48 hours of community service, a $500 fine, and court costs of $417.

2021: Klamath River Water Rights Standoff

In 2021, Ammon Bundy's group, PRN, engaged in a standoff concerning water usage from the Klamath River. They occupied land near a canal in Oregon's Klamath Basin, threatening to open the headgates unilaterally. This action was met with disapproval from the local Klamath Water Users Association, as reduced river flows were intended to protect endangered species and salmon migration. PRN's claims that the water did not belong to the indigenous Klamath Tribes further escalated tensions, with the Klamath people perceiving the group as a threat fueled by white supremacy and anti-government extremism.

February 17, 2022: Bundy Drops Out of Republican Primary for Idaho Governor

On February 17, 2022, Ammon Bundy withdrew from the Republican primary race for Idaho governor and announced his intention to run as an independent candidate.

March 2022: Bundy Stages Protest at Hospital, Arrested for Trespassing

Ammon Bundy staged a protest at a hospital in March 2022, demanding the return of an associate's grandson who was in protective custody. Bundy was arrested for trespassing during the protest and later sentenced to jail time, though he served only a portion of it.

April 8, 2022: Bundy Convicted of Trespassing and Resisting Arrest

On April 8, 2022, Ammon Bundy was found guilty in absentia of trespassing and resisting arrest for refusing to leave a closed committee room at the statehouse. He was sentenced to jail time, fined, and ordered to do community service.

May 2022: St. Luke's Sues Bundy for Defamatory Material Online

St. Luke's filed a lawsuit in May 2022 demanding that Ammon Bundy remove false and defamatory content about the hospital from his website.

November 2022: Bundy Comes in Third in Idaho Gubernatorial Election

Ammon Bundy finished third in the Idaho gubernatorial election in November 2022, losing to incumbent Republican Brad Little.

2022: Idaho Gubernatorial Run

Ammon Bundy ran for governor of Idaho in 2022 as an independent candidate after initially filing to run in the Republican primary. He was unsuccessful in his bid.

2022: Bundy Runs for Governor of Idaho

Ammon Bundy ran for governor of Idaho in 2022. His campaign focused on protecting individual rights and reducing taxes.

2022: Bundy Incites Protests Against Hospital and Child Protection Services

Following his jail time for trespassing, Ammon Bundy urged his followers to protest against St. Luke's hospital and child protection services, alleging the "kidnapping" of his associate's grandson and broader child trafficking conspiracies.

February 2023: Judge Restricts Bundy's Financial Transactions

By February 2023, Ammon Bundy had not complied with the court order to remove defamatory content about St. Luke's. As a result, the judge in the case imposed restrictions on Bundy's financial activities, suspecting an attempt to hide assets.

May 2023: Cryptocurrency Donations and Extremist Organizations

In May 2023, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) revealed that several extremist groups, including Bundy's People's Rights Network (PNM), had received donations laundered through Ethereum to obscure the donors' identities. The report indicated that PRN received approximately $93,000 in this manner.

July 2023: St. Luke's Hospital Sues Bundy for Defamation

In July 2023, St. Luke's Regional Health filed a defamation lawsuit against Ammon Bundy, Diego Rodriguez, and associated organizations, alleging harassment of medical staff and a smear campaign related to the incident involving Rodriguez's grandson.

September 2023: Bundy's Civil Trial Delayed, Judge Orders Removal of False Statements

Ammon Bundy's civil trial for defamation was postponed in September 2023. The judge also ordered Bundy and his associates to remove false online posts about St. Luke's hospital and prohibited them from making further false statements.

November 2023: Arrest Warrant Issued for Bundy, Goes into Hiding

An arrest warrant for contempt of court was issued against Ammon Bundy in November 2023. He subsequently disappeared from his Idaho home and is believed to be hiding in southern Utah.

December 2023: Bundy's Property Transferred to St. Luke's

In December 2023, ownership of Ammon Bundy's property was transferred to St. Luke's, following his failure to appear in court and subsequent disappearance.