Of course they did. This is what they wanted from the beginning.

If you haven’t been keeping up with the story, anti-religion groups have been pushing for the removal of a cross from Mojave National Preserve. The original cross was erected in 1934 to honor those who had been killed defending the country in war. A newer version, this one made of steel, was put up in 1984.

The anti-religion groups sued over the placement of the cross on federal land and lower court decisions lead to it being covered up. Finally, however, the case Salazar v. Buono reached the United States Supreme Court and the court decided the cross could remain. That was that, right? Wrong.

An apparent atheist, angry over losing the court fight, decided it was time for some vigilantism. Rather than abide by the Supreme Court ruling, the thief cut down and stole the cross in early May. He attempted to place a “non-sectarian” memorial on the site in its stead, but was unable to for unspecified reasons. Basically, he couldn’t win through legal methods, so he did what he wanted anyway.

Which brings us to this.

Authorities say a Mojave Desert war memorial cross that replaced one that was stolen is illegal and must come down.

Linda Slater, a spokeswoman with the Mojave National Preserve, says a maintenance worker spotted the 7½-foot replica cross made of metal pipes on Thursday in a federal park.

The original cross was stolen more than a week ago. It had been the subject of a lawsuit arguing that the Christian symbol didn’t belong on public land.

The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily allowed the old cross to stand, but Slater says the new cross isn’t covered by the ruling and will be taken down.

The Park Service’s response to comment requests by Fox News? The agency opposes erecting a replacement cross while litigation continues. Some asshole stole a cross the United States Supreme Court said could stay, but replacing that evidently legal cross is wrong? Bullshit.