Did you buy a beanie from REI recently? The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) might be looking for you. According to reporting by Wired, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents subpoenaed the outdoor retailer in March, requesting transaction information for “all persons” in the greater Minneapolis–St. Paul area who purchased a specific type of dark green beanie from the company since 2024. REI has not disclosed whether it complied with the request or how many customers are affected.
The subpoenas are part of a broader lawsuit against 39 individuals who participated in a protest against ICE at a church, where the pastor was alleged to have worked as an acting ICE field office director. Notably, both protesters and journalists covering the event, including former CNN host Don Lemon, are now defendants in the case.
Scope of the Investigation
The subpoena to REI was one of 92 issued as part of HSI’s investigation. Other subpoenas were sent to various entities, including social media companies, airlines, and telecom providers. One subpoena directed at an unnamed airline reportedly requested not only information about a defendant’s past flights but also a “lookout notification” for future travel. The DHS has declined to comment on the matter.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
These subpoenas, known as 1509 customs summonses, are intended for information related to imports and exports. However, critics, including U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, have raised concerns about their use for broader surveillance purposes. Wyden stated, “It’s flat-out absurd for DHS to demand REI search two years of customer data as part of Trump’s campaign against the people of Minneapolis.”
The total number of 1509 summonses issued since the Trump administration began remains unclear, as companies receiving these subpoenas are often instructed to keep them confidential. This lack of transparency raises significant questions about privacy and the extent of government surveillance.
As the case unfolds, the implications for privacy rights and the use of such legal tools by federal agencies will likely continue to be scrutinized.
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