Hammonds turn themselves in, but militia members stay put in Oregon

It looks very unlikely that New York Magazine’s Jonathan Chait will get his wish to see any militia members killed in Burns, Ore., as ranchers Dwight Hammond Jr. and his son, Steve, who were convicted on federal arson charges earlier this year, turned themselves in early Monday afternoon.

Dwight and Steve Hammond walk into federal prison pic.twitter.com/pkgWA26KXc

— Richard Winton (@LAcrimes) January 4, 2016

As Harney County Sheriff David Ward explained in a press statement, the incident began when out-of-staters arrived to prevent the Hammonds from returning to prison. With that cause having taken care of itself, what was left was the militia members, some bored reporters and some curious locals, a few of whom toured the militia-occupied Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

This should give you an idea of the media presence around the #BundyMilitia today. #OregonUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/OH4veTKUz1

— Gordon Friedman (@gordonrfriedman) January 5, 2016

Scenes from the walkthrough of the refuge HQ, some locals also visited 1/2 @reviewjournal #ORmilitia #BurnsOregon pic.twitter.com/Li8yWAkuDc

— Chase Stevens (@CSStevensphoto) January 5, 2016

Scenes from the walkthrough of the refuge HQ, some locals also visited 2/2 @reviewjournal #ORmilitia #BurnsOregon pic.twitter.com/6VuujdXFiU

— Chase Stevens (@CSStevensphoto) January 5, 2016

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Here's a shot from earlier today, inside the #BundyMilitia bunk house. #OregonUnderAttack #Oregonstandoff pic.twitter.com/sOSmobTYXm

— Gordon Friedman (@gordonrfriedman) January 5, 2016

Inside the #bundymilitia house: Oranges, chips and salsa, paper plates. Not much happening. #OregonUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/sTBjXjOjGA

— Gordon Friedman (@gordonrfriedman) January 5, 2016

The Oregonian’s Les Zaitz reported surprise among some of the militia leaders that they were considering packing it in.

A key militant leader at the refuge was surprised to hear of statement they would leave if locals wanted them to. He hung up to go check.

— Les Zaitz (@LesZaitz) January 5, 2016

A second militant leader has expressed surprise at news they might pack it in. "Sounds uncharacteristic," he said.

— Les Zaitz (@LesZaitz) January 5, 2016

@ryanjhaas @LesZaitz Did anyone ever find the other 130 or so militia who have been hiding from sight since this started?

— LJ (@l1vedreaming) January 5, 2016

Not yet. All on the ground reporting is about 20 people. https://t.co/HPLmvzvLDP

— Ryan Haas (@ryanjhaas) January 5, 2016

Wrapping up day w/ @iankullgren. As seriff says "go home," #ORmilitia shows no signs of stirring https://t.co/xhj5P6nlQH #oregonstandoff

— Kelly House (@Kelly_M_House) January 5, 2016

Ammon Bundy tweeted late in the day that the protest would continue until the Hammonds were freed.

https://twitter.com/Ammon_Bundy/status/684207547184771072

https://twitter.com/JohnLGC/status/684207785827909632

https://twitter.com/Ammon_Bundy/status/684228152076447745

Editor’s note: The @Ammon_Bundy Twitter account has been confirmed to be fake. Twitchy regrets including the tweets.