Shawn Ryan Show Episode #213: Braxton McCoy - Why is the US Government Selling Millions of Acres of Public Land?

Release Date: June 30, 2025

Introduction: A Collective Victory

In the opening segment of Episode #213, host Shawn Ryan shares a significant triumph with his audience. He announces that, thanks to collective outcry and advocacy, a proposal to sell between 2 and 3 million acres of public land for affordable housing has been halted. Ryan expresses gratitude towards prominent figures who stood up against this move, emphasizing the power of united citizen voices.

Shawn Ryan [01:05]: "We need a third party... When you speak out, you're going up against people who... are a corrupt establishment."

Introducing Braxton McCoy: Defender of Public Lands

Braxton McCoy, the guest for this episode, is introduced as a passionate advocate against the privatization of America's public lands. His background as a son of southern Utah, a combat veteran, rancher, and horse trainer underscores his deep connection to these lands.

Shawn Ryan [16:35]: "Braxton McCoy, a son of southern Utah... a combat veteran who survived a suicide bomber in Iraq... a patriot who sees these lands as bought with blood from Lewis and Clark to Teddy Roosevelt."

Historical Context: The Foundations of Public Land Preservation

Braxton delves into the history of public land in the United States, tracing its origins to the nation's founding. He explains how land was acquired through conquest, treaties, and purchases, emphasizing that the ethos of preservation was established by early leaders like Theodore Roosevelt.

Braxton McCoy [43:51]: "When somebody asked me how did we end up with public land? My answer is conquest, war treaties, purchase. That's how we did it."

Current Threats: The Push to Sell Public Lands

The core of the discussion centers on the ongoing efforts by certain politicians, including Senator Mike Lee, to sell millions of acres of public land. Braxton explains the legal mechanisms, such as the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), which currently governs land use but can be manipulated to facilitate privatization.

Braxton McCoy [15:17]: "Well, that's the legal term that they use. It's really like transfer to a municipality or an organization for development and growth, things like that."

Implications of Land Privatization

Both Ryan and McCoy express deep concerns about the consequences of selling public lands. They highlight the potential loss of habitat for wildlife, deterioration of ecosystems, and the diminishing ability of everyday Americans to access and enjoy these natural spaces.

Braxton McCoy [105:08]: "Mule deer populations are on decline across the entirety of the west. Have been for years..."

Personal Journey and Advocacy

Braxton shares his personal story, detailing his experiences in Iraq, the injuries he sustained, and how they shaped his dedication to preserving public lands. His transition from military service to activism illustrates his unwavering commitment to protecting these areas for future generations.

Braxton McCoy [21:38]: "My family got to enjoy the most as a family was public ground. We'd go out fishing and just to look at its nice too."

Political Maneuvering and Opposition

The episode delves into the political strategies employed to advance the sale of public lands, including the use of lobbying firms to discredit opponents like Braxton. McCoy recounts attempts to engage with and challenge politicians who support privatization, revealing the often hostile environment activists face.

Braxton McCoy [69:14]: "I was told specifically so, allegedly here, that it was Mike Lee's camp that did that."

Economic Incentives and Development Plans

Ryan questions the financial motivations behind the push to sell public lands, pointing out the potential benefits for large corporations and real estate developers. He challenges the notion that selling land is a viable solution to issues like the housing crisis, especially given the environmental and social costs.

Shawn Ryan [60:33]: "But if we have no place to do it, you know, we don't have room, you know, et cetera. Clearly trying to sell this bill to people."

Conservation and Sustainable Use

Braxton emphasizes the importance of sustainable management of public lands, advocating for responsible grazing, logging, and resource extraction. He criticizes the notion of unlimited resource use, citing historical mismanagement and the pressing need for conservation.

Braxton McCoy [66:45]: "Federal Land and Policy Management Act... it's been abused in a lot of ways under like NEPA and others."

Future Outlook: Calls to Action

As the episode concludes, both Ryan and McCoy stress the urgency of mobilizing citizens to protect public lands. They call for increased awareness, political engagement, and the establishment of third-party organizations to provide alternative solutions to land management and conservation.

Shawn Ryan [01:05]: "...good men to do nothing. And so try to get past the fear, the intimidation, the corruption, and just do what's right, man."

Conclusion: Upholding Stewardship and Heritage

The conversation wraps up with a reaffirmation of the fundamental American values of stewardship and preservation. Braxton and Shawn advocate for maintaining public lands as a legacy for future generations, echoing the principles set forth by the nation's founders.

Braxton McCoy [102:33]: "...this is our land. It's my land. Your land. This is American. American's land that they're able to enjoy like the Theodore Roosevelt wanted us to."

Notable Quotes:

• Shawn Ryan [01:05]: "For evil to prevail, all that needs to happen is for good men to do nothing."

• Braxton McCoy [16:35]: "Public land is to be managed to make money for the Department of Education."

• Braxton McCoy [105:08]: "Mule deer populations are on decline across the entirety of the west. Have been for years."

• Shawn Ryan [01:05]: "...we need a third party."

• Braxton McCoy [21:38]: "We got to enjoy the land as a family, for recreation and sustenance."

This episode of the Shawn Ryan Show provides a comprehensive exploration of the threats facing America's public lands, the political and economic forces driving privatization, and the passionate advocacy of individuals like Braxton McCoy dedicated to preserving these natural treasures for future generations.