REI Retracts Doug Burgum Endorsement, Launches Coalition for Public Lands Protection

Under new leadership, REI apologizes for its prior endorsement and commits to safeguarding public lands against recent federal policy changes.

REI's new CEO, Mary Beth Laughton, publicly retracted the company's January endorsement of Doug Burgum for Secretary of the Interior, calling it a mistake.
The retraction follows customer backlash and reflects REI's recommitment to its core values of environmental stewardship and public lands protection.
Laughton criticized recent federal actions perceived as threats to public lands, including executive orders prioritizing coal mining and deregulation on federal lands.
REI announced the launch of a coalition with The Conservation Alliance and other brands to advocate for transparency and public input on decisions affecting public lands.
The coalition is urging Congress to pass legislation preventing the sale of federally-owned public lands and waters to private buyers.