It was supposed to be a quiet stop on a curated PR swing through the Pacific Northwest’s natural landmarks. Instead, U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum found himself the target of a searing and spontaneous public confrontation that’s now gone viral across TikTok, Instagram, and Reddit.
The video –originally posted by photographer and activist Ryan King and captioned with the phrase “FAFO moment”– shows Burgum being calmly but firmly grilled by park lovers, rangers, and activists during a visit to Olympic National Park in Washington. The encounter erupted into public consciousness with millions of views across platforms and a growing chorus of condemnation aimed at Burgum’s controversial policies.
In the now-infamous exchange, Burgum is visibly unsettled as he’s pressed about job cuts at the National Park Service: cuts he appeared unprepared to quantify. His only response to being confronted by an emotional crowd of park defenders? A dismissive “Thank your family members for their service.”
The backlash was swift, with social media users amplifying the video as evidence of an administration more interested in resource extraction than stewardship. “We’re DONE letting corporate shills gut our parks,” reads the video caption, which also outlines how national parks contributed a record-breaking $55.6 billion to the U.S. economy in 2023 and supported over 415,000 jobs.
Burgum, who once referred to public lands as “assets on a balance sheet,” has drawn ire for his aggressive push to open protected wilderness areas to oil drilling and strip mining. Activists accuse him of hiding this extractive agenda behind the euphemism of “unleashing American energy.”
Reddit Reacts: “We need their faces plastered EVERYWHERE”
The footage ignited a firestorm on Reddit, particularly in forums dedicated to environmental policy and public lands. One highly upvoted comment summed up the prevailing mood: “So articulate and patient, when really they could have been tearing that fucker a new one.”
Another user, Not_Bears, echoed the broader frustration with Burgum’s approach: “FAFO. These people should feel uncomfortable being in public.” Meanwhile, others called for accountability not just in protests but in policy, demanding action against the “land heists” they say are happening under Burgum’s watch.
Many commenters emphasized how the people confronting Burgum kept their composure. “Don’t yell incoherently,” wrote YouWereBrained. “Just get your message across quietly and calmly, but sternly.”
Still, some questioned whether decorum is enough in the face of policies they believe are actively harming communities and ecosystems. One particularly stark comment read, “He’s not worth the air he’s breathing or the dirt he’s standing on.”
Collateral Fallout: REI, Industry Allies Under Fire
As the backlash gained traction, attention turned to companies that previously supported Burgum’s nomination. Outdoor retailer REI, which signed an industry letter backing Burgum, has been backpedaling since February, issuing a statement saying it would “never stop defending our public lands.”
That hasn’t stopped former customers from voting with their wallets. “I stopped going to REI,” one Reddit user wrote flatly. “Fuck them.”
Despite REI’s public reversal and calls for dialogue, some argue that corporate support for officials like Burgum has enabled exactly the kind of policy rollbacks now unfolding.
For critics, this confrontation at Olympic National Park is a tipping point, not an isolated incident. Burgum is reportedly considering redrawing the boundaries of over 160 national monuments, a move that could drastically reshape public land protections across the country.
