US Marshals Service deputizes members of Elon Musk’s private security detail

The US Marshals Service has deputized members of Elon Musk's private security team, granting them certain rights and protections typically reserved for federal law enforcement agents.

While the exact number of security personnel affected has not been disclosed, the move comes as Musk, the billionaire tech entrepreneur and ally of former President Donald Trump, faces increasing concerns about his safety, Caliber.Az reports per US media.

Unlike other high-profile individuals, Musk does not currently have a US Secret Service detail. This meant his personal security team had limited authority in Washington, DC.

However, following the deputization, Musk's security detail now holds expanded rights, including the potential to carry firearms on federal property. This also means that, in the event of any incident, the US Marshals Service could be held legally liable, one source noted.

The move has raised eyebrows among some in Trump’s inner circle, with observers remarking that Musk's security detail now rivals the scale of protection afforded to the president himself. "The level of security around Musk has been unprecedented since he became a regular figure in Trump’s orbit," a source said.

Musk, who is currently heading the new Department of Government Efficiency, has reportedly expressed growing concerns about his safety, citing a rise in death threats since Trump assumed office last month. He even alluded to these worries during an interview at the Conservative Political Action Conference on February 20, quipping, "I don’t actually have a death wish. Maybe my security should be bigger."

The US Marshals Service has the authority to deputize a wide range of individuals at its discretion, including employees of the Department of Justice, law enforcement personnel, and members of private security companies. Deputization typically lasts for one year, according to a Justice Department manual.

In the past, the Marshals have deputized security teams for other high-profile individuals, including Dr Anthony Fauci, due to threats against his safety. However, law enforcement sources noted that deputizing private security personnel is a rare and unusual move, as these individuals are not officially part of law enforcement.

By Aghakazim Guliyev