Central ND News

North Dakota recently prevailed in a landmark Federal Tort Claims Act case against the federal government, resulting in a $27.8 million ruling. It marks the first time a state has won such a case against the federal government in trial.

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota commented on the outcome, stating, "This ruling is a colossal win for the North Dakota taxpayers who were forced to bear the cost of our federal government’s abdication of its duties during the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. Even before neglecting their responsibilities, our government literally facilitated the violence. This $27.8 million judgment is a win for the rule of law, for sure, and it’s a win for the Constitution of the United States. It’s the result of nearly a decade of hard work from North Dakota’s Attorney General’s office and I really thank them for their efforts."

The lawsuit aimed to recover emergency costs the state incurred due to the Dakota Access Pipeline protests, which were labeled unlawful. These protests occurred over nearly eight months in 2016 and 2017, causing more than $38 million in damages to North Dakota. In his ruling, Judge Dan Traynor noted, "In 2016, the executive branch, through the Corps, decided it did not have to play by the rule of law and permitted a lawless faction to trample, injure, and disrupt the peace and tranquility of North Dakota."

For further details, Cramer has published an op-ed on the significance of the case and released weekly summaries on individual witnesses.