REI's CEO, Mary Beth Laughton, publicly retracted the company’s earlier endorsement of President Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum, apologizing to customers and emphasizing the need to protect public lands. The decision came amid significant customer backlash and concerns over policies that could jeopardize environmental conservation.

REI's new CEO has publicly retracted the company's prior endorsement of Doug Burgum, apologizing for the decision made before her tenure. The CEO emphasized the company's renewed commitment to protecting public lands and resisting policies that undermine environmental values, signaling a shift away from aligning with Trump-era initiatives.

REI announced it was retracting its previous endorsement of Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum after concerns that his administration's policies on public lands conflicted with the company's longstanding values of protecting natural resources. CEO Mary Beth Laughton stated that signing the earlier letter was a mistake, urging the public and policymakers to prioritize the protection of public lands.

REI publicly apologized for its previous endorsement of Doug Burgum for Interior Secretary. The company's new CEO, Mary Beth Laughton, acknowledged the mistake and retracted REI's support by pledging to hold the Interior Department accountable and protect public lands from policies favoring fossil fuel interests.

A report by the University of Massachusetts Amherst Labor Center and Students for International Labor Solidarity accuses REI of being linked to gross violations of labour and human rights in its global supply chain.

A report by Students for International Labor Solidarity and UMASS alleges serious labor rights violations in REI's supply chain, detailing forced overtime, forced labor, precarious contracts, and discriminatory practices at facilities in multiple countries including China, Cambodia, Philippines, and Vietnam.

A new report by Students for International Labor Solidarity (SILS) and the University of Massachusetts Amherst details widespread labor rights abuses in REI's supplier factories in countries like China, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Allegations include forced overtime, forced labor, subpoverty wages, discrimination against pregnant workers, and precarious contracts, coupled with REI’s failure to report or remedy these violations.

A report released in December 2024 by the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Students for International Labor Solidarity alleges that factories in Asia and Central America supplying REI are engaging in severe labor rights abuses, including forced labor, forced overtime, discrimination against pregnant and postpartum women, poverty wages, precarious contracts, and intimidation against unionizing workers. REI acknowledged these issues but provided limited transparency regarding affected factories and remedial actions.

Unionised workers at eight REI stores have filed 80 complaints with the NLRB alleging that REI engaged in anti-union practices and violated US labor law since 2022. Allegations include changes to work schedules, disciplinary actions, and firings targeting unionized workers.

Unionized REI workers filed nationwide legal action alleging that REI engaged in bad faith bargaining and unilateral workplace changes, including hiring a notorious union-busting attorney, actions which undermine worker rights.