The Washington Post article goes over the threats and there is nothing substantiating the armed militia.
It would be a bit odd to me for the national guard to report to the US Forestry that they saw an armed militia and wouldn't be actively pursuing it. Seems more likely is was a miscommunication in a hectic environment.
Because that's how you get reactionary keyboad warriors going "OMG ACAB WHY ARE THEY ARRESTING THEM THIS IS LITERALLY 1984" on every website and media outlet. Also, probably firefights, officer-involved shootings, and further inflammation of a situation that was fucked from the start.
People don't tend to use their best judgement when blues are involved, especially in America.
We're talking about armed militia members hunting federal workers. I don't think they'd take kindly to the presence of a blue uniform. I'd sooner send in the army and let the good god Darwin sort it out.
The area is a powder keg and you're offering a matchstick.
I'd love to have a simple solution for you that is fault-proof, pleases everyone, and can be explained in a ten-minutes-past-midnight comment. Believe me, I'd love to fix every wrong with society, but I can't. Evacuation of the workers and letting the situation calm down is probably the best immediate action that results in the fewest lost lives. Again, the situation is fucked because of way too many stupid, aggressive people in the same place, and that's a problem that can't be fixed by force.
Cool. I'm just wondering how to stop FEMA people being murdered. I'm not concerned with pleasing anyone except their partners and kids when they see them come home in the evening.
The simple solution is to use the police and if there is an open fire fight send in the national guard.
This is a problem that's gone too far and while we essentially might have a Waco on our hands there simply isn't another solution. Either these sovereign citizens stand down or violence will be the result... I don't know if you've seen any of their bullshit on YouTube but some of these fucks are too far gone to reason with and it's an ideology that inevitably leads to violence. I'd rather it involve law enforcement than regular folks in the area.