On Monday, the FBI announced the formation of a specialized task force aimed at tackling the growing number of violent incidents directed at Tesla, the electric car manufacturer founded by Elon Musk. This initiative comes in response to a disturbing trend of vandalism and violence targeting Tesla vehicles and facilities, including charging stations and privately owned cars. For months, these attacks have included protests at Tesla showrooms, criticizing Musk's leadership and his role in the Trump administration's efforts to reduce the size of the federal government.
Amid this concerning rise in anti-Tesla actions, the FBI has called on the public to remain vigilant for any suspicious activity at Tesla dealerships or related entities. They specifically warned of individuals surveilling, attempting to break into Tesla properties, or making online threats against the company. The newly established task force will collaborate with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to thoroughly investigate these incidents, as stated by FBI Assistant Director for Public Affairs, Ben Williamson, in a recent post on the social media platform X.
The Justice Department has also pledged to take a firm stance against the rising violence, even going so far as to label these actions as domestic terrorism. FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “Those responsible will be pursued, caught, and brought to justice.” This sentiment was echoed by Attorney General Pam Bondi, who referred to recent violent acts, including an incident where a person dressed in black shot and set fire to multiple Tesla vehicles in Las Vegas, as acts of domestic terrorism.
Elon Musk himself weighed in on the violence via his X social media account, asserting that “shooting bullets into Tesla stores and burning down Superchargers are acts of terrorism.” He further expressed disbelief that Tesla, a company focused solely on manufacturing electric cars, could be subjected to such malevolent actions.
The FBI noted that anti-Tesla incidents have been reported in at least nine states, with a common pattern of these attacks occurring overnight and often being carried out by lone offenders. These incidents have included arson, gunfire, and vandalism, often featuring graffiti that reflects the attackers’ perceived grievances against individuals or groups they view as racists or political adversaries. The FBI is encouraging anyone with information about these crimes to reach out to law enforcement.
In a recent alarming event in Austin, Texas, local police responded to reports of possible hazardous materials at a Tesla dealership. Officers discovered “suspicious devices,” which were later identified as incendiary by a bomb squad. Fortunately, the situation was handled without incident, and the FBI has taken over the investigation.
Moreover, there have been reports of violence directed towards protesters at Tesla dealerships. For example, a woman recorded an incident in Florida where an SUV jumped the curb and accelerated towards protesters outside a Tesla dealership, fortunately without causing injury.
Beyond protests and targeted attacks on dealerships, individual Tesla owners have reported being victims of vandalism. In Wichita, Kansas, a Tesla owner discovered deep scratches on her brand new vehicle after dining out. Another case involved a Tesla Cybertruck being vandalized by a group of juveniles in Pennsylvania, with police actively investigating the incident.
As these attacks on Tesla vehicles and facilities continue to escalate, both the FBI and local law enforcement agencies are intensifying their efforts to ensure the safety of Tesla owners and to hold those responsible for these acts accountable.
