Reputable sources have disclosed to CNN that the US Marshals Service has deputized select members of Elon Musk’s personal security detail, granting them specific rights and protections as federal law enforcement agents. The exact number of Musk’s security team members who have been appointed as special deputies remains undisclosed at this time.
Elon Musk, a prominent tech magnate and a close associate of President Donald Trump, does not presently have a dedicated US Secret Service detail. Consequently, members of his private security team had limitations on their activities within Washington, DC. However, the recent deputization equips them with expanded rights and the potential authorization to bear arms on federal premises. Furthermore, in the event of any security complications, the Marshals Service could assume legal responsibility, as pointed out by a law enforcement insider.
CNN has initiated contact with both the Justice Department and the US Marshals Service seeking their official statements regarding this development. It has been noted by some individuals in proximity to the Trump administration that the extent of security arrangements enveloping Musk has been surprising since he emerged as a frequent presence in Trump’s sphere last year. Observers remarked that the security entourage rivaled that typically associated with the President himself.
Musk, who currently oversees the Department of Government Efficiency, has reportedly expressed heightened concerns about his safety since the beginning of Trump’s tenure, with reports of escalated threats against him. During a recent appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Musk alluded to these concerns, explicitly stating, “I don’t actually have a death wish.”
Acknowledging the significance of his security detail, Musk remarked that it may need to be augmented. The US Marshals Service retains the authority to deputize a diverse range of individuals at its own discretion, encompassing Justice Department personnel, law enforcement officers, and even private security staff. Typically, such deputations, issued by the deputy attorney general, are valid for a year according to the guidelines outlined in a Justice Department manual.
While it is not unprecedented for the Marshals Service to deputize security details, as evidenced by the case of Dr. Anthony Fauci, deputizing private security personnel is considered uncommon. In a situation where an individual is not an active law enforcement member, this move is regarded as “rare,” as confirmed by law enforcement insiders speaking to CNN.
Contributions to this report were made by CNN journalists Kaitlan Collins, Steve Contorno, and Josh Campbell. For more CNN updates and newsletters, consider registering an account on CNN.com.
