You know it's not that simple, tax. This is about the history of that region, open range, government control, and a clash between the old ways and the government.
I come from a state that had a history of range wars.
In short, I think the rancher in this situation is a nut, and in the wrong.
I also think that sending over armed troops to kill his cattle and threaten him is not only unjustified, but illegal.
That being said, this thing stinks. It screams of a set up. You don’t graze for free on BLM land for 20 years. Back home they come looking for you if you are 30 days late on a payment.