Environmental group Extinction Rebellion says it is under federal US probe

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February 18, 2026 5:56 PM EST

FILE PHOTO: Members of the climate activist group Extinction Rebellion clean up after vandalizing the Charging Bull, as part of an "Earth Day" protest against Wall Street's alleged complicitness in climate change, in New York City, U.S., April 22, 2025. R

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON, Feb 18 (Reuters) - ‌Environmental group ​Extinction Rebellion ​said on Wednesday it is under federal U.S. investigation and that some of its members have been visited by FBI agents, ‌including from the agency's task force on extremism, in the last ⁠year.

Asked for comment, the FBI said it can neither confirm nor deny conducting specific investigations, ‌citing Justice Department policy.

"On the ‌evening of February 6, 2026, a former member of (Extinction Rebellion NYC) was visited by two special agents from the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force ​at their residence, 200 miles outside of New York City," the environmental group said in a statement.

The agents asked the former member about their ⁠involvement in the environmental group's New York City chapter, the statement said, adding the former member referred ​questions to their attorney.

The group also said that in March 2025, agents identifying themselves as part of the FBI attempted to ​speak with six different activists affiliated with ‌Extinction Rebellion Boston and that there was no follow-up communication.

The statement by the activist group did not have further details ⁠and the FBI did not comment on the nature and scope of its actions.

Rights advocates have raised free speech concerns under President Donald Trump's administration, citing his crackdown ⁠on pro-Palestinian protests against U.S. ally Israel's assault on Gaza, and his threats against liberal ​nonprofits and groups opposed to his agenda, including his immigration and climate policies.

The Trump administration has accused groups, often without evidence, of funding and organizing political violence. Climate advocates ‌have criticized Trump's cuts to domestic climate regulations and the U.S. withdrawal from global environmental accords.

The environmental group's global website ‌says it is a "decentralised, international and politically non-partisan movement using non-violent direct action and ⁠civil disobedience to persuade governments ‌to act justly" on ​the climate emergency. Activist Greta Thunberg has previously attended actions organized by the group.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by ‌Stephen Coates)


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