{"id":2678908,"date":"2026-10-08T12:33:01","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T16:33:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/utm_sourcerssutm_mediumrssutm_campaignranchers-backing-scotus-climate-suit-compared-gop-to-nazis-have-ties-to-leftist-dark-money\/"},"modified":"2026-10-08T12:37:20","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T16:37:20","slug":"utm_sourcerssutm_mediumrssutm_campaignranchers-backing-scotus-climate-suit-compared-gop-to-nazis-have-ties-to-leftist-dark-money","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/utm_sourcerssutm_mediumrssutm_campaignranchers-backing-scotus-climate-suit-compared-gop-to-nazis-have-ties-to-leftist-dark-money\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Ranchers&#8217; Backing SCOTUS Climate Suit Are Left-Wing Activists"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Futm_sourcerssutm_mediumrssutm_campaignranchers-backing-scotus-climate-suit-compared-gop-to-nazis-have-ties-to-leftist-dark-money%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2678908&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Protesters gathered outside the U.S. Supreme Court during arguments in Suncor v.boulder, a case were Boulder, Colorado, is suing oil giants Suncor and Exxon Mobil for allegedly contributing to climate change and harming residents. The demonstration was organized by left-wing climate activist groups, Fossil Free Media and the Center for Climate Integrity, with speeches from figures like Jay Inslee and ranchers Kathryn Bedell and Deirdre Macnab supporting Boulder. notably, these ranchers have signed amicus briefs emphasizing the personal and economic impacts of climate change on ranching communities. However, deeper investigation reveals that some of these ranchers have ties to progressive, pro-Democrat organizations, receive funding from dark money groups, and hold strong anti-conservative views, including disdain for President Trump and the Supreme Court. Several have expressed extreme political opinions publicly, and some are linked to organizations involved in environmental activism and social justice initiatives. The Supreme Court is expected to make a decision later in its term on the case, which could have significant implications for climate litigation and the role of activist groups in legal proceedings.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Corporate media have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/10\/05\/nx-s1-5989401\/supreme-court-case-centers-on-battle-over-liability-for-climate-change-harms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">giddily<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/insideclimatenews.org\/news\/05102026\/supreme-court-suncor-v-boulder-oil-case\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">elevated<\/a> a leftist-led protest outside the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday that occurred while the justices heard arguments in a battle over Democrats\u2019 climate lawfare. But the real story surrounding this kerfuffle centers around several of the demonstration\u2019s participants and their involvement in the case.<\/p>\n<p>In <em><a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/suncor-energy-inc-v-county-commissioners-of-boulder-county\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Suncor v. Boulder<\/a><\/em>, the high court will determine the fate of a lawsuit brought by Boulder, Colorado, against Suncor Energy companies and Exxon Mobil. The locality is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/utm_sourcerssutm_mediumrssutm_campaignsupreme-courts-suncor-case-is-bigger-than-a-climate-policy-dispute\/\" title=\"SCOTUS&#039;s ... Is &#039;Bigger&#039; Than A &#039;Climate&#039; Policy Dispute\">seeking monetary damages based<\/a> on allegations that the oil giants\u2019 activities are contributing to \u201cclimate change,\u201d which is harming its residents.<\/p>\n<p>The New York Times <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/live\/2026\/10\/05\/climate\/oil-companies-climate-supreme-court#the-protesters-outside-the-court-include-colorado-ranchers-and-fire-survivors\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reported<\/a> how \u201cdozens of protestors\u201d gathered outside the court as the justices heard <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/10\/06\/scotus-tackles-colorados-climate-lawfare-in-kickoff-to-2026-term\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">arguments<\/a> in the case to voice support for Boulder. According to the outlet, the demonstration was organized by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.influencewatch.org\/organization\/fossil-free-media-ffm\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Fossil Free Media<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.influencewatch.org\/non-profit\/center-for-climate-integrity-cci\/#funding\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Center for Climate Integrity<\/a>, two left-wing climate activist groups. <\/p>\n<p>While featuring speeches from figures like former Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, the event\u2019s more notable attendees included Kathryn Bedell and Deirdre Macnab. The women are two of seven self-professed ranchers who signed onto an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.supremecourt.gov\/DocketPDF\/25\/25-170\/417764\/20260731154704243_25-170_Brief%20of%20Amici.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">amicus brief<\/a> supporting Boulder in the <em>Suncor<\/em> litigation.<\/p>\n<p>In their brief, the ranchers argue that climate change is \u201ca lived reality that disrupts their lives and threatens their livelihoods.\u201d They further attempt to make an emotional appeal by describing the alleged \u201cheartbreak that underlies this case.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBeyond the personal tragedy for ranchers who feel a deep attachment to ranches that have been in their families for generations, the decline of ranching is felt not only in Colorado\u2019s economy (and \u2014 as beef prices rise \u2014 in the nation\u2019s economy), but also in a loss of community in rural areas and care for the land that ranching helps to preserve,\u201d the brief reads.<\/p>\n<p>The filing and its framing appear directed at Justice Neil Gorsuch, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.grassley.senate.gov\/news\/news-releases\/grassley-remarks-nomination-judge-neil-gorsuch-supreme-court\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fourth-generation<\/a> Coloradan who served as a judge on the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals for more than a decade. The former role arguably gave Gorsuch significant exposure to issues that arise disproportionately in the West, such as natural resource disputes and the relationship between federal, state, and tribal governments.<\/p>\n<p>But Bedell and Macnab showing up to Monday\u2019s protest isn\u2019t even the most interesting part of this story. A deep dive into the amici ranchers\u2019 backgrounds reveals that several of them are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/meet-the-left-wing-organization-influencing-federal-judges-on-science-litigation\/\" title=\"Meet The Left-Wing Org Influencing Judges On Science Litigation\">radical left-wing partisans<\/a> and\/or hold ties to Democrats\u2019 dark money network. <\/p>\n<p>For starters, Bedell <a href=\"https:\/\/ag.colorado.gov\/home\/about-us\/ag-commission\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">serves<\/a> as a Democrat appointee on Colorado\u2019s Agricultural Commission. The body is tasked with providing recommendations to state officials \u201cregarding agricultural issues within the state; developing policies for preparing and enforcing rules and regulations related to agriculture; reviewing and approving all rules and regulations prior to adoption by the [state Agriculture] Commissioner; developing general policy for managing the agriculture department; and approving and monitoring the agriculture department\u2019s budget.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Bedell also <a href=\"https:\/\/worc.org\/media\/Fall-2022-Western-Organizing-Review.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">chaired<\/a> the Western Organization of Resource Councils\u2019 (WORC) Agriculture and Food Campaign team. As <a href=\"https:\/\/www.influencewatch.org\/non-profit\/western-organization-of-resource-councils\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">described<\/a> by InfluenceWatch, WORC is a lobbying and advocacy coalition comprised \u201cof left-leaning political activist groups based in seven western states with prominent agricultural and energy industries.\u201d The organization \u201copposes oil, coal, and gas energy development and supports farming and trade policies that favor its members\u2019 farming and ranching operations at the expense of other food production.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>WORC and its \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.influencewatch.org\/non-profit\/western-organization-of-resource-councils-education-project\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">education project<\/a>\u201d have collectively received boatloads of grants tied to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/left-wing-dark-money-groups-unite-to-undo-trumps-judicial-legacy\/\" title=\"Left-Wing ... Unite to Undo Trump\u2019s Judicial Legacy\">left-wing dark money groups<\/a> like the Soros-backed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.influencewatch.org\/non-profit\/tides-foundation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tides Foundation<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.influencewatch.org\/non-profit\/bezos-earth-fund\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bezos Earth Fund<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.influencewatch.org\/non-profit\/windward-fund\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Windward Fund<\/a>, and others. While Tides is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.influencewatch.org\/for-profit\/sher-edling\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">notable funder<\/a> of Sher Edling \u2014 a for<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >-profit law firm supporting localities\u2019 climate-damages lawsuits<\/a> against energy companies (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.supremecourt.gov\/DocketPDF\/25\/25-170\/417995\/20260803145436568_2026-08-03%20SubSov%20Amicus%20Brief%204923-9086-1764%20v.1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">including<\/a> Boulder\u2019s) \u2014 Windward is a tentacle of the left-wing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.influencewatch.org\/for-profit\/arabella-advisors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Arabella Advisors<\/a> network.<\/p>\n<p><strong>[READ:[READ:<a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2026\/10\/05\/big-law-is-backing-the-climate-adversaries-of-their-energy-clients\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Big Law Is Backing The Climate Adversaries Of Their Energy Clients<\/a>]<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>More notable about Bedell, however, is an online <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/kathryn.b.bedell?comment_id=Y29tbWVudDoyNDE1MTk5NzUxODI1OTUyXzI0MTU5MTk2NTg0MjA2Mjg%3D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">social media presence<\/a> demonstrating her visceral disdain for President Trump, Republicans, and conservative-aligned figures. <\/p>\n<p>In a Sept. 15 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/share\/p\/1Gm3WmbTCw\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Facebook post<\/a>, the Colorado resident reacted to a New York Times article that detailed Trump\u2019s efforts to ensure states have accurate voter rolls. She espoused support for \u201cthrow[ing]\u201d the president\u2019s \u201c-ss out\u201d of office if the midterms don\u2019t turn out the way she seemingly hopes.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat the F\u2026. are we doing? How the hell can this guy still have 30% support?\u201d Bedell wrote. \u201cF\u2026. Voke [sic], no matter how hard it is and if the election ends up being a disaster it will be time to go in MASS to Washington and throw his -ss out and take back our country. Because it is our country!\u201d<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>In addition to sharing a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/share\/p\/1EUV3Zn362\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">post<\/a> claiming that Trump rigged the 2016 and 2024 elections, Bedell also features <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/share\/p\/1C4SjGAbAs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">several<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/share\/p\/1E5CHQ6S1q\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">posts<\/a> on her Facebook feed that compare the Trump-led United States to Nazi Germany. She\u2019s also aimed her fire at the very Supreme Court she is now asking to rule in Boulder\u2019s favor in <em>Suncor<\/em>. This includes sharing a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/share\/p\/19nBPYzbdK\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">post<\/a> on Aug. 27 that calls for the next Democrat Congress to \u201cinvestigate the Supreme Court\u2019s well-documented corruption\u201d and \u201cget on board with court expansion before it\u2019s too late.\u201d<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>One of Bedell\u2019s most egregious reposts, however, came on May 22 in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/share\/p\/1Hds2KmkFY\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">post<\/a> seemingly referencing the Supreme Court\u2019s 2024 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oyez.org\/cases\/2023\/23-939\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">presidential immunity decision<\/a>. The original post appears to suggest that the photographed individuals \u2014 which include Trump administration officials and allies, as well as Justice Clarence Thomas \u2014 would lose immunity after Trump leaves office and should be \u201changed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHitler\u2019s SS had immunity too. Until he was gone\u2026.. Then they were all hanged,\u201d the post reads.<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Bedell is hardly the only amici rancher whose political interests lie on the left. <\/p>\n<p>Prior to her stint as a Colorado rancher, Macnab served as president of the League of Women Voters\u2019 Florida chapter. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.influencewatch.org\/non-profit\/league-of-women-voters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LWV<\/a> is a left-wing advocacy group that seeks to advance Democrat-backed policies across the country. The organization, its charity wing, and local chapters have received funding from a bevy of leftist dark money groups, according to InfluenceWatch.<\/p>\n<p>Amici rancher Jay Fetcher <a href=\"https:\/\/conservationco.org\/who-we-are\/our-staff-board\/#board\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sits<\/a> on the board of directors for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.influencewatch.org\/non-profit\/conservation-colorado\/#background\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Conservation Colorado<\/a>, a left-wing environmentalist organization whose <a href=\"https:\/\/www.influencewatch.org\/non-profit\/conservation-colorado-education-fund\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">education fund<\/a> has received funds tied to dark money groups like the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.influencewatch.org\/non-profit\/energy-foundation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Energy Foundation<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.influencewatch.org\/non-profit\/wyss-foundation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wyss Foundation<\/a>. The latter group was founded by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.influencewatch.org\/person\/hansjorg-wyss\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hansjorg Wyss<\/a>, a Swiss national who has <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/tag\/hansjorg-wyss\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">repeatedly interfered<\/a> in U.S. elections via his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.influencewatch.org\/non-profit\/berger-action-fund\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Berger Action Fund<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, amici rancher Mike Callicrate <a href=\"https:\/\/sraproject.org\/about\/our-team\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sits<\/a> on the board of directors for the Socially Responsible Agriculture Project (SRAP), another environmental <a href=\"https:\/\/www.influencewatch.org\/organization\/rural-democracy-initiative\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">activist<\/a> group. The organization <a href=\"https:\/\/sraproject.org\/about\/\">cla<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/sraproject.org\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ims<\/a> that the modern food and agriculture industry \u201cperpetuates social and racial injustices\u201d and \u201cexacerbates climate change.\u201d The group also touts its \u201ccommitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion\u201d on its website.<\/p>\n<p>Neither Bedell nor Macnab responded to The Federalist\u2019s request for comment via their legal counsel by deadline.<\/p>\n<p>The Supreme Court will <a href=\"https:\/\/www.supremecourt.gov\/visiting\/visitorsguidetooralargument.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">presumably<\/a> cast a preliminary vote on the <em>Suncor<\/em> case at its private conference on Friday. A decision is not expected to be released until later in the 2026 term. <\/p>\n<hr>\n<p>      Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. He is a co-recipient of the 2025 Dao Prize for Excellence in Investigative Journalism. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics and RealClearHealth. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Leftist protesters at Supreme Court linked to climate lawsuit<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":539,"featured_media":2678909,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Ranch.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[14436,86905,36279,19300,6994],"class_list":["post-2678908","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-activism","tag-climate-lawsuit","tag-environmental-policy","tag-ranchers","tag-scotus"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Ranch.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2678908","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/539"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2678908"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2678908\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2678912,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2678908\/revisions\/2678912"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2678909"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2678908"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2678908"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2678908"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}