Sandoval appears to be running hard to get back in front of the parade. His involvement in the Battle of Bundy’s Cattle was weak tea and certainly hurt him politically. This is an effort (welcome just the same) to repair some of the damage.
When Bundy's son was tased, Sandoval should have said something like "That's It! All federal officers are to vacate the area with 24 hours. After that time, I order the County Sheriff to arrest any who remain." The guy would have leapt in national prominence - for and agin, which would have been a win-win for him, whatever his ambitions are.