It was a crisp February morning, just a few hours’ drive north of New York City. A middle-aged man was settling down with his tea and laptop when a knock at the door changed everything. Standing there was a woman, accompanied by a man, who identified herself as an F.B.I. counterterrorism agent. Her inquiry: the global environmental group Extinction Rebellion. She assured him he wasn’t in trouble.
Panic set in. The man, whose identity remains protected for his safety, quickly stated he had nothing to discuss. The F.B.I. agent then inquired if anyone could speak on his behalf; he declined. The agents thanked him and departed.
As the door clicked shut, his immediate action was to call his lawyer.
For years, this man had been a dedicated member of Extinction Rebellion, a group known for its high-profile, nonviolent protests aimed at drawing attention to global warming. Their tactics, ranging from disrupting major sporting events like a tennis match at the U.S. Open to interrupting Broadway performances, are undeniably attention-grabbing. Now, a growing worry grips Extinction Rebellion and other environmental organizations: the Trump administration’s ongoing crackdown on protestors appears to be expanding to specifically target climate activists.
Even though he’s no longer involved, the activist first heard from the F.B.I. in January via a phone call, which he dismissed as a scam. Minutes later, a text arrived from an agent, claiming to be outside his home – but it was his old address, far away. Weeks after that, the very same agent and a partner appeared directly at his current residence.
“This unexpected visit to his home signifies a major escalation,” stated Ronald L. Kuby, a lawyer representing several climate activists. “The agents’ efforts to track down an inactive member, even initially at a past address, strongly indicates the initiation of a broader investigation. They are clearly probing deeper.”
Mr. Kuby attempted to contact the agent but received no response. When our publication reached out, the agent directed inquiries to the F.B.I.’s New York public affairs office. A spokeswoman for the agency offered the standard reply: they could neither confirm nor deny the presence of any ongoing investigation.
While climate activists are often lauded for their innovative and disruptive approaches, which garner significant media coverage and public debate, their core methods are non-violent, according to Dana R. Fisher, director of the Center for Environment, Community and Equity at American University.
Dr. Fisher noted that the previous Biden administration generally welcomed diverse public opinions on global warming, even when expressed forcefully by large crowds. In stark contrast, President Trump has repeatedly dismissed climate change as a hoax, systematically erasing its mentions from government websites. Furthermore, just last week, his administration rescinded the federal government’s authority to regulate the very pollution driving planetary warming.
Dr. Fisher explained that climate activists are particularly susceptible because their advocacy often intertwines environmental justice with broader economic and racial justice movements. This leads them to participate in demonstrations against other controversial Trump-era policies, like mass deportations. Consequently, the Trump administration views these interconnected groups as ‘low-hanging fruit’—easy targets for their suppression efforts.
In a formal statement, the Department of Justice asserted its commitment to ‘holding accountable any individual who crosses the line between peaceful First Amendment activity and obstructing, impeding, or attacking federal law enforcement agents. Regardless of the cause, no one is above the law.’
Marianne Engelman-Lado, who directs the Environmental and Climate Justice Initiative at New York University School of Law, observed a recent surge in legal support for non-profits dedicated to climate justice. This increase comes amidst reports of several such groups receiving intimidating letters from members of Congress.
“These organizations are now keenly aware of the need to be meticulously prepared legally,” she added.
Late in January, another climate group caused a disruption at a synagogue event in Roslyn, N.Y., protesting a Long Island congressman’s backing of a bill proposing billions for deportations. Following this, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon announced via social media that the Department of Justice would investigate to determine if federal laws were violated.
President Trump has intensified his rhetoric against what he terms ‘domestic terrorism.’ Last fall, following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, he issued a memorandum outlining a new strategy: to ‘disband and uproot networks, entities, and organizations that promote organized violence, violent intimidation, conspiracies against rights, and other efforts to disrupt the functioning of a democratic society.’
Although climate groups weren’t explicitly named in the memorandum, Nate Smith, a member of Extinction Rebellion, pointed to its broad wording. He noted that it targets those perceived to oppose capitalism and Christianity, as well as individuals holding ‘extreme views’ on migration, race, and gender. ‘It’s a very dangerous wish list,’ Smith commented.
The concerns aren’t isolated; in May, six activists in Boston, some affiliated with Extinction Rebellion, reported visits from individuals identifying as F.B.I. agents. This follows comments from tech billionaire and Trump ally Peter Thiel, who, in October, infamously labeled critics of artificial intelligence—including renowned climate activist Greta Thunberg—as ‘legionnaires of the Antichrist.’
Years prior, then-U.S. Senator Marco Rubio urged the F.B.I. and the Department of Homeland Security to prevent foreign Extinction Rebellion members from entering the country. In a letter to these agencies, he expressed fears of activists planning to obstruct vital transit routes and interfere with federal facilities. (It’s worth noting that in 2019, an Extinction Rebellion protest that disrupted London train services led to commuter violence, an action later acknowledged as a mistake by the group’s leadership.)
The very activist visited by the F.B.I. had been profoundly affected by witnessing a neighborhood swallowed by tidal flooding. This alarming experience propelled him to engage more deeply. He began attending state-sponsored meetings on reducing greenhouse gas emissions but quickly found the discussions overly academic and lacking inspiration.
Convinced that public awareness was key, he joined Extinction Rebellion. Between 2022 and 2024, he took part in roughly six actions, leading to multiple arrests and a misdemeanor charge in Connecticut. Collectively, he and his fellow activists faced over $6,000 in fines. However, a year ago, he relocated from New York City and stepped away from his activism.
In response to these developments, Extinction Rebellion is proactively advising its members on how to interact with federal agents and stressing the critical need to understand their legal vulnerabilities before participating in any protest. The group’s leadership consistently reinforces its commitment to nonviolent action.
“We are neither disbanding nor retreating,” declared Mr. Smith. When pressed about future actions, his reply mirrored the F.B.I.’s own cautious language: “We can neither confirm nor deny that.”