I was a seasonal BLM employee in 1992 and USFS employee in 1993. I recall how Ruby Ridge and Waco rattled me and my co-workers. The USFS in summer of 1993 made a bunch of us seasonal employees actual low level law enforcement they were so understaffed. I could not believe it. Then in the early 2000s when I became a professor of soil science I did field research near the Bundy ranch with USDA; really near. We were always very cautious and wary. These events over the last 20+ years you spoke of have defined so much of my career and so directly conflicted with the land use policy and environmental law taught to me in College… I was always, and still am, disheartened to see where this has ended up, the degree of radicalization. The violence is not the solution. I really believe education is critical to prevent such outcomes. You captured so much of what I have been thinking about for 20 years…the whys, the ‘what are they thinking’. The story is so complex. Thank you.

In light of Jan 6 & recent revelations about The Percenters’ successful recruiting, Sottile’s reporting feels prescient. Listeners who live anywhere but the middle of nowhere West may learn more than the bargain for.

Especially the one pretending to be a gay man living happily in MAGA country. This is well reported and incredibly informative

I live in MT, and am aware of some of these groups & their behavior. Still, I'm blown away with how much more is here synthesized into several short, important hours. Thank you!

A fantastic podcast. Well-written, quick paced, very much enjoyed it!

I enjoyed this podcast over all with the movements of extreme domestic terrorists. And I would agree with you on most of your reporting but one thing. Your reporting on Steven’s county is a bit off. While reporting north Idaho’s Arian nation and the link to stevens county is false. Do they have a few crazies, yes. But what rule small community doesn’t. Born and raised in the area your reporter from Spokane was false about many things. The Kehoe family and Keyes family were not from the area, they moved there from out of the area and left the area and committed their crimes. What because Ted Bundy drove through the area once now he’s from stevens county now. Yes it’s conservative, sometimes bigoted, and is MAGA everywhere yes. It’s also a great place to live and raise a family away from large city crime and judgment. As a proud gay man in the small community of stevens county I see people that are excepting and full of love. Not how you portray us whatsoever.

super biased

An amazing story of white privileged

This is my second time listening to this. It explains so much of what’s going on out here in the West. Scary bunch. Glad Bundy never got elected governor of Idaho😬. I would love to hear a podcast series on the Lori Vallow/Chad Daybell saga. They have the same Mormon roots. Strikes me as interesting.

It’s obvious the lady telling the story which probably doesn’t identify as a woman is a Trump hating LIBTARD. Sounds like she hates white people and probably marched with BLM and Antifa.