Navajo President Faces Backlash Over Fund Reallocation

Navajo President Boo Nygren is facing criticism from the 25th Navajo Nation Council for shifting funds from the 4 Corners K-9 Search and Rescue Mission to cover travel and operational costs. This situation escalated when he attempted to dismiss Secretary Sean McCabe after the reallocations came to light.

On October 7, President Nygren’s office adjusted the budget, diverting $229,000 from search and rescue operations to travel and operational expenses. The Navajo Nation Council had previously secured $250,000 during the fiscal year 2026 budget discussions.

“During his campaign, President Nygren promised to advocate for the families of the missing. Now, his actions are stripping away the resources designed to save lives,” expressed House Speaker Crystalyn Carley. “This decision not only contradicts the President’s public promises but also directly impacts Navajo families still searching for answers. The Council is committed to reversing these actions.”

Later that day, President Nygren issued a statement rejecting the Council’s claims as misinformation.

“President Nygren has contributed over $500,000 to the Council for independent initiatives. Despite having the power to cut the Council’s budget completely, he opted for collaboration to help advance the Navajo Nation,” the statement read.

According to the AWARE Foundation, which focuses on missing and endangered persons, there are approximately 67 unresolved cases within the Navajo Nation as of September 13, 2025.

This morning, on October 8, the 25th Navajo Nation Council dismissed a letter sent on the night of October 7, which sought to remove McCabe as comptroller. The letter stated that President Nygren had accepted McCabe’s resignation in July, but it was deemed invalid by the Office of Legislative Counsel due to lack of proper authorization from the Budget and Finance Committee. This led to McCabe being designated as an “interim administrator,” an action perceived as a means for the President to terminate him.

Council members suggested the letter was a retaliatory move following the administration’s release of documents detailing McCabe’s ongoing involvement in probing the fund reallocations and ZeniHome.

ZeniHome was contracted to construct 160 tiny homes for the Navajo Nation to support home improvement as part of President Nygren’s 1,000 Home Initiative. However, plans were scaled back to just 80 units in July, and only 18 homes have been finished. The company subsequently closed its LeChee factory, resulting in the layoffs of 210 workers.

Currently, ZeniHome is under investigation by Special Division Prosecutor Kyle Nayback of the Window Rock District Court for unethical and possibly illegal behavior. The Council is asserting its intention to ensure that the investigation proceeds without any political interference from the President.

The Council also reported that President Nygren’s office has continually requested the activation of his purchase card, which was turned off during the fiscal year 2026 budget process due to insufficient funds.

This isn’t the first significant controversy President Nygren has encountered since taking office in January 2023. In April 2024, he was accused of sexual harassment by Navajo Vice President Richelle Montoya. However, a review by the Navajo Attorney General’s Office concluded that Montoya’s allegations did not meet the required criteria for sexual harassment, resulting in no formal investigation.