Extinction Rebellion, an environmental activist group, has revealed that it is under FBI investigation, amidst concerns over the Trump administration's rollback of pollution protections. The group's New York chapter reported that at least seven of its activists have been visited by FBI agents since Trump's second term began, including an incident where two special agents from the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force visited a climate change activist's home on February 6. This comes as the Trump administration openly works to dismantle environmental regulations, including the revocation of the 'endangerment finding' under the Clean Air Act. The group's statement on Instagram suggests that the FBI's actions are a response to their peaceful protests, which have gained media attention worldwide. The activist group, known as XR, has disrupted roads, airports, and public transport networks with direct action protests against climate change in major cities. The Trump administration's deregulatory actions have been criticized by environmental and health groups, who argue that they will lead to increased pollution, higher costs, and thousands of avoidable deaths. The group's global website emphasizes its decentralized, international, and politically non-partisan nature, using non-violent direct action and civil disobedience to persuade governments to address the climate emergency. Greta Thunberg, a renowned activist, has previously attended actions organized by the group. The controversy surrounding the Trump administration's rollback of environmental protections and its impact on climate change activism continues to spark debate and concern among environmental groups and the public.
