STATEMENT FROM TEXAS AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER SID MILLER CELEBRATING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S DECISION TO DROP CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST THE MAUDE FAMILY (4/30/2025)

“The U.S. Department of Justice's choice to dismiss the criminal charges against Charles and Heather Maude is a long-awaited action that highlights the damage caused by the Biden Administration’s harmful federal overreach. This marks a significant triumph for land rights, the diligent families that sustain this nation, and basic common sense. The Maudes, as fifth-generation ranchers, have responsibly managed their land for many years under the supervision of the very agency that sought to portray them as criminals.

This was never a criminal matter; it was a land use disagreement that should have been resolved through dialogue and respect, rather than threats of prison and financial ruin. What occurred in South Dakota serves as a chilling reminder of how easily bureaucratic power can spiral out of control and jeopardize the livelihoods of honest agricultural producers.

I am thankful that under the Trump Administration, the rights of rural Americans are finally being honored, and sensibility has returned to our national government. The Maudes' fight was a battle for all of us who still believe in property rights, due process, and basic fairness.”