ICE Wants to Know Who Bought a Certain Green Beanie From REI in the Last 2 Years

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Published: 2026-09-04T10:35:20.829Z • Permanent link

Homeland Security Investigations agents have issued a subpoena to outdoor retailer REI, seeking the identities of individuals who purchased a specific green beanie from the company's website between 2022 and 2023. The move is part of a broader investigation into the identities of protesters who entered a Minnesota church in March 2022. According to sources, the protesters wore the green beanies, which were sold exclusively at REI's website, to conceal their identities.

The investigation, led by Homeland Security Investigations agents, has been ongoing for several months, with agents scouring online marketplaces and retail websites for clues. The green beanie in question was reportedly purchased by a group of individuals, with some estimates suggesting that up to 50 people may have bought the item in the past two years. The company, REI, has refused to comment on the matter, citing concerns over customer privacy.

The controversy surrounding the green beanie has sparked heated debate, with some arguing that the use of the item to conceal identities is a legitimate form of protest. Others have criticized the use of the item, citing concerns over national security and the potential for misuse. As the investigation continues, many are left wondering what other secrets lie hidden in the online marketplaces and retail websites of major companies.

The subpoena issued to REI has significant implications for the data sources category, particularly for research communities and companies that rely on online marketplaces for sales. The move highlights the challenges faced by companies in balancing customer privacy with national security concerns. For researchers, the incident raises questions about the use of online marketplaces as a tool for protest and activism, and the potential for misuse of this tactic.

The subpoena has also sparked concerns among market analysts, who worry that the move could have far-reaching consequences for the retail industry as a whole. Companies such as REI, which rely heavily on online sales, may be forced to rethink their strategies in light of this incident. Furthermore, the use of online marketplaces by protesters has raised questions about the role of these platforms in facilitating activism, and the potential for misuse of these platforms by malicious actors.

The controversy surrounding the green beanie is part of a larger pattern of concerns surrounding online marketplaces and national security. In recent years, there have been numerous high-profile incidents of protesters using online marketplaces to conceal their identities and evade law enforcement. The use of these platforms by protesters has raised questions about the role of these platforms in facilitating activism, and the potential for misuse of these platforms by malicious actors.