Oregon judge rejects Cliven Bundy's demands: He 'thinks he owns the refuge'

Officials in Harney County, Oregon rejected anti-government rancher Cliven Bundy's demand that they resign for their opposition to the militant takeover of a local federal wildlife reserve.

"I think he undermined any of the legal actions his son, sons and others are doing to get released," county Judge Steve Grasty told KOIN-TV.

The letter, composed by the Pacific Patriots Network militia group, demands not only the officials' resignation, but that the officers involved in the shooting death of LaVoy Finicum last week be detained.

"Last night I got a tweet with a copy of the letter in it from Mr. Cliven Bundy," Grasty said. "I looked at that and wondered what does that mean? Perhaps he thinks he owns the refuge. I don't think that’s the case."

In a separate letter, Bundy called for the removal of "all federal and state policing agents" from the county and stated that militants would retain control of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. He also identified himself as part of "the people of Harney County," even though he lives in Nevada.

Bundy told The Guardian that he was "taking over" the direction of the four militants who remain at the facility, despite calls from his son Ammon -- who originally led the group into the refuge -- that they leave the area.

Watch KOIN's report, as aired on Tuesday, below.