Executive Summary
- Extinction Rebellion claims it is under federal investigation following FBI visits.
- Agents reportedly visited a former NYC member in February 2026 and Boston activists in March 2025.
- The FBI cited policy to neither confirm nor deny the existence of an investigation.
- The alleged probe involves the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
WASHINGTON (The Docket) – The environmental advocacy group Extinction Rebellion announced on Wednesday that it believes it is the subject of a federal investigation, reporting that agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), including personnel from the Joint Terrorism Task Force, have questioned members in New York and Massachusetts over the past year.
According to a statement released by the group, two special agents visited a former member of the New York City chapter on February 6, 2026. The interaction reportedly took place at the individual’s residence, located approximately 200 miles outside of New York City. The group stated that the agents inquired about the former member’s involvement with the chapter, prompting the individual to refer all questions to their legal counsel.
The organization further alleged that in March 2025, agents identifying themselves as FBI affiliates attempted to interview six different activists associated with Extinction Rebellion Boston. The group noted that there was no follow-up communication after these initial contacts.
When reached for comment regarding these specific allegations, the FBI declined to address the claims directly. Citing Department of Justice policy, the bureau stated it could "neither confirm nor deny" the existence of specific investigations. The environmental group describes itself as a decentralized, non-partisan movement utilizing non-violent civil disobedience to address climate change.
These reports emerge amidst heightened scrutiny of civil liberties under the administration of President Donald Trump. Rights advocates have raised concerns regarding the administration’s rhetoric toward liberal nonprofits and protest groups, particularly those opposing immigration and climate policies. Critics have accused the administration of characterizing political dissent as potential extremism, often without providing public evidence to support such classifications.
Investigative Outlook
The reported involvement of the Joint Terrorism Task Force in inquiries regarding domestic environmental activists, if accurate, signals a potential shift in the federal classification of civil disobedience groups. From an investigative standpoint, this suggests that federal law enforcement may be assessing the operational scope of such organizations under the lens of domestic extremism rather than standard public order policing. This development warrants close observation regarding the application of counter-terrorism resources in the context of political activism and the subsequent legal standards applied to environmental advocacy. It is important to note that all individuals and organizations are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
