The article discusses the collaboration between companies, particularly in the oil and gas sector, and law enforcement during domestic terrorism investigations. It highlights how companies have received privileged information and strategic access to federal authorities like the FBI during controversial protests. Notably, one pipeline operator was identified as a 'domain stakeholder' which afforded them unique influence and opportunities to strategize with various government bodies. Furthermore, it outlines how fossil fuel lobbyists have actively worked to criminalize protests against infrastructure, indicating a shift in public policy that favors corporate interests over activism.
There's precedent for companies not only receiving information from law enforcement during domestic terrorism investigations, but also working directly with the FBI.
Records published by the news site Grist and Type Investigations found that the FBI considered one pipeline operator a 'domain stakeholder' in one protest case.
One Canadian pipeline company paid local Minnesotan police departments more than $5 million in 2020 and 2021 for policing pipeline protests.
Though it's unclear how the FBI's current domestic terrorism investigations will play out, Musk and other Tesla executives could ultimately have similar access to and influence over them.
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