Overview

• Sunseri’s bench trial wrapped up on May 21 and U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie Hambrick has not yet announced her verdict.
• The National Park Service rescinded its criminal prosecution referral but the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Wyoming continued to pursue the federal misdemeanor charge.
• Representatives Harriet Hageman and Andy Biggs argue the case exemplifies overcriminalization and have demanded communications and cost data to assess alignment with President Trump’s May 9 order favoring civil remedies.
• The congressional letter gives prosecutors until July 31 to produce all documents and communications related to their decision and the resources devoted to Sunseri’s prosecution.
• Sunseri ran the ‘old climber’s trail’ marked only by two small closure signs, highlighting disputes over regulatory clarity and prosecutorial discretion in national parks.