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Mother JonesonBluesky1d ago
The controversial weed killer Roundup is now being deployed in private and public forests at record rates.
We go inside the secret plan that helped make it possible.
Trust Metrics
82
68
80
65
Accuracy82%
Framing68%
Context80%
Tone65%
Analysis Summary
The US Forest Service and timber companies are spraying glyphosate herbicide (Roundup) on tens of thousands of acres across California forests, including a massive expansion in the fire-ravaged Lassen area starting spring 2026. The article documents this through firsthand observation of the ecological difference between sprayed private timberland (barren, no insects or plants) and unsprayed adjacent areas (recovering with natural vegetation and saplings). Trump's February 2026 executive order designating glyphosate as critical to national security under the Defense Production Act enabled this escalation, though the chemical is classified as a probable carcinogen by WHO and Bayer has already paid $12+ billion in settlements to people claiming Roundup caused cancer.
Claims Analysis (5)
“Roundup is being deployed in private and public forests at record rates”
Reveal News and Mother Jones both confirm record spraying in California forests; NPR coverage validates the broader trend of increased glyphosate use.
“The US Forest Service sprayed glyphosate on some 10,000 acres of public land in Lassen starting spring 2026”
Directly stated in the Forest Service letter cited in the article; specific acreage and timing match across reporting.
“Glyphosate is called a probable carcinogen by the World Health Organization's cancer agency”
WHO IARC classified glyphosate as probable carcinogen in 2015; this is well-established scientific consensus widely reported.
“Bayer acquired Monsanto in 2018 and has agreed to pay more than $12 billion in legal settlements”
Bayer's 2018 acquisition of Monsanto and $12+ billion settlement for Roundup cancer claims are documented corporate facts.
“President Trump issued an executive order in February deeming glyphosate critical to national security and invoked the Defense Production Act”
Trump's February 2026 executive order on glyphosate as critical to national security is reported across multiple outlets including this article.
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