REI says it was a 'mistake' to endorse Trump interior secretary by Nate Sanford

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Following backlash from members, REI Co-op is retracting its endorsement of Doug Burgum, a Trump administration appointee who has been criticized by environmental advocates over his support for fossil fuel drilling on public lands and loosening environmental regulations.

REI was one of more than 30 outdoor recreation companies that signed onto a January letter of support for the nomination of Burgum, the former governor of North Dakota. The move was met with widespread criticism from members of the Issaquah-headquartered outdoor retail co-op, which has long marketed itself as a company dedicated to environmental stewardship. The REI Union described the endorsement as “shocking” and part of a trend of REI “abandoning the values that make our Co-op special.”

In a video statement posted Wednesday, newly appointed REI CEO Mary Beth Laughton apologized to REI members and said the company will lead the creation of a new business coalition dedicated to protecting public lands.

“Let me be clear: Signing that letter was a mistake,” Laughton said. “The actions that the administration has taken on public lands are completely at odds with the longstanding values of REI.”

https://www.cascadepbs.org/briefs/2025/04/rei-says-it-was-mistake-endorse-trump-interior-secretary

[PJMcK]

1. Hey, REI Coop!

Fuck Around and Find Out.

Too bad you didn't have any cognitive thinking skills before you mindlessly singed that letter of support.

Your behavior is illustrative of classic stupidity.

[BOSSHOG]

2. Oh my god, the horribleness of trump

Was totally invisible until after the election. How did we miss it? How did evil liberals know this would happen before it happened thus voting against him? We’re conservatives we have no fucking idea what to do next. We will wait a few years and blame liberals for everything because that’s what people with no integrity do. We bath in our conservative values.

[Scrivener7]

3. We evil liberals must have used witchcraft to see it! It must be SATAN!

[Ponietz]

4. If I need a $50 pair of socks I'll consider shopping elsewhere now

[Clouds Passing]

5. Ya think? A bit late.

[33taw]

6. How f..ing stupid are these people?

[Tarzanrock]

7. The sooner that REI files for bankruptcy ...

... the better the country will be and one less store selling over-priced, garbage and mostly useless, outdoor crap.

[calimary]

8. Well, there goes THAT company's reputation.

[question everything]

9. Doesn't he expects his staff to bake fresh cakes, or something?

[Iggo]

10. "I am shocked, SHOCKED, to find that gambling is going on in here."

“Your winnings, sir.”