The FBI has formed a task force to investigate a surge of violent attacks targeting Tesla facilities and vehicles, following a series of vandalism and arson incidents amid controversy over CEO Elon Musk’s leadership at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
On Monday, officials announced the formation of a task force that will work with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) after investigators discovered multiple incendiary devices at a Tesla showroom in Austin, Texas.
FBI Director Kash Patel called the attacks “domestic terrorism,” stating on X: “Those responsible will be pursued, caught, and brought to justice.”
The FBI has been investigating the increase in violent activity toward Tesla, and over the last few days, we have taken additional steps to crack down and coordinate our response.
This is domestic terrorism. Those responsible will be pursued, caught, and brought to justice. https://t.co/U4VYh8XEve
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) March 24, 2025
Since the beginning of 2025, individuals have vandalized or set fire to more than 80 Tesla properties across the United States and Canada. Some of these incidents involved gunfire and graffiti. Recently, someone set a Tesla Collision Center in Las Vegas on fire, damaging five vehicles. In another incident, police arrested a man in Florida for allegedly driving his car toward protesters outside a Tesla showroom.
The rise in attacks has been fueled by opposition to Musk’s role in DOGE, the federal agency leading efforts to cut government spending and staffing. Protesters, including a group called “Tesla Takedown,” have planned demonstrations at nearly 300 Tesla showrooms across the country, accusing Musk of undermining democracy. The group claims it does not support violence, maintaining that its protests are peaceful.
President Donald Trump has condemned the violence, warning that attacks on Tesla dealerships will be treated as acts of domestic terrorism. Attorney General Pam Bondi has highlighted recent arrests related to Tesla vandalism, while Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick encouraged people to invest in Tesla stock, which has seen a sharp decline.
Musk addressed the vandalism during a Tesla event last week, calling those responsible “psycho” and urging them to “stop being psycho.” Despite the ongoing attacks, he and Trump recently showcased Tesla vehicles at a White House event, where the president announced plans to purchase a Cybertruck for his granddaughter, Kai Trump.
The FBI’s task force plans to intensify efforts to investigate and prevent further attacks as tensions escalate between Tesla supporters and protesters.
