Outdoor retailer REI announced it was retracting its endorsement of Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum after his first two months on the job.
REI was one of many companies that signed onto a letter sent to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources in January encouraging the senators to confirm Burgum to the Cabinet. The letter showered Burgum with praise as a nominee with a “history of support for outdoor recreation, the outdoor recreation economy, and the protection of public lands and waters,” and toted his “commitment to supporting outdoor recreation as an economic driver and a meaningful way to connect communities.”
However President and CEO Mary Beth Laughton took to social media Wednesday to refer to the letter as a “mistake.” Laughton joined REI after the letter went out to the ENR committee.
“Many of you shared your disappointment and your frustration with that decision, and I hear you. Let me be clear. Signing that letter was a mistake. The actions that the administration has taken on public lands are completely at odds with the longstanding values of REI,” Laughton said.
The video came the day after Burgum was at the White House while President Donald Trump signed an executive order to remove, “Federal regulatory barriers that undermine coal production.” Laughton called on Congress to prevent sales of public lands and on the Interior Department to “consult the public on major decisions that affect our public lands.”
In response, the Department of the Interior pointed to the “benefit” of Burgum’s policies.
“Secretary Burgum remains committed to conserving and managing the nation’s natural and cultural resources, upholding tribal trust responsibilities, and overseeing public lands and waters for the benefit of all Americans,” an Interior Department spokesperson told the Washington Examiner.
“I’m also here to share that REI is more committed than ever to our fight to protect the outdoors and our public lands,” Laughton went on. “This industry, this community, and REI are committed. The co-op will do everything in our power to protect our public lands, but we cannot do that alone. Please join us in this fight.”
These posts included links to direct customers how to contact their elected officials and join a calling list to receive updates on the topic. The website included additional campaigns that are soliciting volunteers. REI customers have previously pressured the company to cut ties to other political groups like the National Rifle Association.
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The Washington Examiner reached the Bureau of Land Management for comment.
REI encourages its employees to enjoy National Parks and the greater outdoors in general. The store has been closed every Black Friday to customers since 2015 as part of its “Opt Outside” campaign.