Critic of #NoDAPL movement under consideration for U.S. Attorney post

Tuesday, July 25, 2017  

North Dakota's former lieutenant governor, who harshly criticized opponents of the Dakota Access Pipeline, is up for consideration as U.S. Attorney for the state, BuzzFeed News reports.

Last August, Drew Wrigley visited The Bismarck Tribune and lit into the #NoDAPL movement. He said pipeline opponents were engaging in "unlawful" activities and suggested that anyone who was at the massive encampment was guilty of "conspiracy" regardless of their actual actions.

"[I]t has become an unlawful protest," Wrigley told the paper. "And there is no way to peacefully and lawfully participate in an unlawful protest."

Those kinds of comments have prompted Chairman Dave Archambault II of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to oppose Wrigley's candidacy for U.S. Attorney, BuzzFeed News reported. But he doesn't think President Donald Trump cares.

“Everything Standing Rock asked the White House to do, they do the opposite,” Archambault told BuzzFeed News.

The United Tribes of North Dakota, which represents five tribes with homelands in the state, met with Wrigley and another candidate earlier this month to discuss law enforcement, public safety and other issues, BuzzFeed News reported. A resolution adopted by the organization demands a greater role in the selection of the U.S. Attorney.

Trump has not yet announced his nominee for the post, which Wrigley held during the Bush administration.

Read More on the Story:
Native American Tribes Want A Bigger Role In Choosing US Attorneys Under Trump (BuzzFeed News 7/24)

Former U.S. Attorney urges energy industry to consult tribes in advance (July 20, 2017)
Trump administration officially rescinds pro-treaty rights legal opinion (July 18, 2017)
President Trump doesn't seem to know where Dakota Access Pipeline goes (July 14, 2017)
North Dakota still hoping to secure taxpayer funds for #NoDAPL response (July 14, 2017)
YES! Magazine: Native activists continue to pressure banks on pipelines (July 10, 2017)
Albert Bender: Judge waited for oil to flow through Dakota Access Pipeline (July 6, 2017)
Dakota Access still fighting small fine for disturbance of tribal artifacts (July 5, 2017)
Officials in North Dakota claim ignorance on Dakota Access security firm (June 29, 2017)
Dakota Access security firm was denied license but kept working anyway (June 28, 2017)
Tribes in for long haul as oil continues to flow through Dakota Access Pipeline (June 23, 2017)
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe welcomes 'victory' in Dakota Access Pipeline case (June 16, 2017)
Mark Trahant: Dakota Access decision offers a chance to return to respect (June 16, 2017)
Jacqueline Keeler: Connecting the Dakota Access Pipeline to history (June 15, 2017)
Indian Country celebrates as judge orders environmental review of Dakota Access Pipeline (June 15, 2017)
Albert Bender: Judge drags his feet in Dakota Access Pipeline case (June 12, 2017)
Dakota Access faces fines for disturbing artifacts in North Dakota (June 8, 2017)
President Trump put wealthy firm first in approving Dakota Access Pipeline (June 7, 2017)