Ammon Bundy defends Oregon sheriff in jailhouse recording

PORTLAND – Ammon Bundy has come to the defense of a sheriff who is under investigation for his actions during the occupation of a national wildlife refuge in southeast Oregon.

The state agency that licenses police officers has asked the state Justice Department to look into complaints that Grant County Sheriff Glenn Palmer met with some of the occupiers during the 41-day standoff.

Bundy, the now-jailed leader of the occupation, said in a recording posted on the Bundy Ranch Facebook page that Palmer didn’t get caught in the “political deception” that the people of Burns were in danger during the protest. He says Palmer went to the source and learned that the protesters “would not hurt another person.”

If Palmer is found to have violated standards, he could lose his police certification.