FBI Investigates Extinction Rebellion Activist Group

FBI Visits Climate Activists’ Homes Amid Trump Administration Rollback of Pollution Protections

The FBI has been visiting homes of climate activists associated with the environmental group Extinction Rebellion since President Donald Trump’s second term began last year. At least seven activists have received visits from FBI agents, including one individual who had two special agents from the Joint Terrorism Task Force visit their home on February 6.

The Department of Justice also launched an investigation into Climate Defiance, a separate environmental group, in response to a “viral peaceful protest”. Extinction Rebellion has stated that the investigation is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to target peaceful protesters and appease the fossil fuel industry.

Extinction Rebellion, known as XR, is a decentralized international movement using non-violent direct action and civil disobedience to persuade governments to act on climate change. The group has garnered media attention worldwide through disruptions at major cities, including roads, airports, and public transport networks.

According to Global Witness, fossil fuel companies, including Chevron and Exxon, donated $19m to Trump’s inaugural fund last year, representing 7.8% of the total amount raised. Trump has taken steps to fulfill his campaign promise to “drill, baby, drill” as president, including expanding oil extraction in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

The Trump administration recently revoked a 2009 government declaration known as the “endangerment finding”, which was used as the legal basis for regulating pollution under the Clean Air Act. This move has prompted alarm from environmental and health groups, who have filed a lawsuit over the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to withdraw the endangerment finding.

In response to the revocation, more than a dozen environmental and health groups have filed a lawsuit, citing potential consequences including increased pollution, higher costs, and avoidable deaths.

Source: Al Jazeera