Senator Cramer Releases Statement on North Dakota DAPL Trial Update

WASHINGTON, D.C. - North Dakota filed its final response brief Wednesday in its Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) case against the federal government for its abdication of duty during the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) protests. The filing of this brief marks one of the few remaining procedural steps before the final ruling, which is expected later this year.

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) released a statement following the filing of the brief:

"This brief outlines what North Dakotans know: our state paid the price for the federal government's facilitation of illegal protests. The Army Corps of Engineers and Department of Justice leadership knew protestors were unlawfully occupying the land and engaging in illicit activities. Instead of assisting North Dakota law enforcement the Corps willfully violated its own legal obligations which emboldened protestors and caused extensive damages. North Dakota taxpayers cannot be expected to bear the cost of the federal government's deliberate inaction."

Cramer published an op-ed outlining the significance of the case. He also released detailed summaries from weeks one, two, three, four, and five to provide additional information on individual witnesses.