Today's exercise in futility: Expecting an interview with a teabagger to make sense

A Nevada lawmaker who is showing solidarity with rancher Cliven Bundy told Chris Hayes last night that the federal government should expect Americans to “fire back” in an armed standoff.

The MSNBC’s host’s interview with Assemblywoman Michele Fiore (R) was pretty testy throughout. At one point, Hayes touched a nerve when he pointed out that Bundy’s cows that were euthanized by federal agents were going to be slaughtered anyway.

Despite Hayes’ repeated efforts to get her to acknowledge that Bundy is in violation of the law, the lawmaker was evasive.

And Fiore, who said she’s been on the ground at Bundy Ranch in Bunkerville, Nev. for six days, was clearly eager for a fight.

“So you agree with Cliven Bundy that the federal government does not have authority over the land or the taxpayers of Nevada?” Hayes asked.

“No,” Fiore responded. “Chris, don’t put words in my mouth. I’m not saying I agree with Cliven Bundy. What I’m saying is the way this was handled is really suspicious.”

“Don’t come here with guns and expect the American people not to fire back,” she added later.

The interview continued to devolve from there. Hayes asked how she would feel if armed militias thwarted Department of Homeland Security officials from carrying out a deportation of an undocumented immigrant.

“Are we talking about cows or illegal immigration, Chris? Because I’m talking about cows,” Fiore said.

“I’m talking about human beings,” Hayes responded.

“Human beings that thank God did not get slaughtered but cows did get slaughtered out here,” she said, referring to the two bulls on the ranch that were euthanized.

“What is going to happen to those cows later on?” Hayes asked with a smirk.

The observation did not sit well with Fiore.

“So, are you saying it’s OK to cruelly slaughter them because they’re raised for beef? Is that what you’re saying, Chris?” she said. “Because I hope you retract those words because that’s pretty, pretty sad, Chris.”

“No, no. Don’t put words in my mouth,” Hayes said, bringing the interview full circle.

• Talking Points Memo