"Leading Republican presidential candidates are condemning the armed takeover of a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon and distancing themselves from the gunmen.

Republican Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas) and Marco Rubio (Fla.) and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson all took to the campaign trail on Monday to denounce the gunmen.

Cruz was the most forceful, calling on the activists to 'stand down.'"

Timothy Cama and Devin Henry report for The Hill January 4, 2016. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"White House Calls Oregon Standoff a 'Local Law Enforcement Matter'" (The Hill) [3]

"FBI Takes Lead on Investigating Armed Takeover of Federal Building in Oregon" (Washington Post) [4]

"The Bundys Keep Trying To Recapture the Glory of Their 2014 Standoff with BLM" (Talking Points Memo) [5]

"FBI Monitoring Armed Standoff in Oregon National Wildlife Refuge" (ABC News) [6]

"Explainer: The Bundy Militia’s Particular Brand of Mormonism" (OPB) [7]

"Some Oregon Ranchers See Armed Group's Viewpoint" (OPB) [8]

"Hammonds Report to Federal Prison, To Ask for Clemency" (AP/OPB) [9]

"Some Protestors Distance Themselves from Armed Group As Tensions Rise" (OPB) [10]

"Bundy: We'll Leave Occupied Buildings If Community Wants Us To" (OPB) [11]