- The Federal Bureau of Investigation is now targeting those who vandalize Tesla automobiles.
- It has an entire task force focused on what Donald Trump is calling acts of domestic terrorism.
- Tensions between Musk, Trump, and anti-Tesla protesters are intensifying amid the FBI crackdown.
On Monday, a Tesla dealer in Texas found multiple “incendiary” devices on its premises. The FBI, along with local law enforcement, quickly responded. It turns out this incident was just the beginning of a new FBI task force aimed at taking down those targeting Tesla owners and dealers. This move comes at a particularly tense time, with Tesla CEO Elon Musk cozying up to the government, while effectively serving as the head of the DOGE efficiency department.
More: FBI Warns Americans Of Escalating Attacks On Tesla Cars And Dealerships
It’s no secret that attacks on Tesla vehicles and showrooms are a common occurrence right now. While Elon Musk might feign a lack of understanding about why this is happening, it seems relatively obvious that these attacks are directed at him and his actions over the past few months.
“It’s really come as quite a shock to me, that there’s this level of hatred and violence from the Left,” Musk said on Fox News’s Hannity last week. “Tesla is a peaceful company; we’ve never done anything harmful. I’ve never done anything harmful; I’ve only done productive things. So, I think we just have a deranged… there’s some kind of mental illness thing going on here because this doesn’t make any sense,” he added.
Carscoops has reported on countless examples of aggression in this vein. One thing seems clear; it isn’t blowing over in a single news cycle.
FBI and Government Response
Given all this, it’s no surprise that both Musk and Donald Trump have weighed in. The US President has labeled these acts as domestic terrorism, and now, under his direction, the FBI is launching a new task force to track down and penalize those responsible for the violence. Trump has even suggested that convicted anti-Tesla protesters should be sent to prison in places like El Salvador. The ATF is also working alongside the FBI on the matter.
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
“[FBI] Director [Kash] Patel has been unequivocally clear: The FBI will be relentless in its mission to protect the American people,” an agency rep told The NY Post. “Acts of violence, vandalism, and domestic terrorism — like the recent Tesla attacks — will be pursued with the full force of the law.”
Read: Man Rams Into Tesla Protestors At Florida Dealership Amid Escalating Tensions
Attorney General Pamela Bondi also confirmed last Thursday that at least three individuals have already been charged for violently damaging Tesla locations.
No doubt, Musk and Trump are eager to demonize and demolish the #TeslaTakedown movement spreading across the globe. All of this comes as Musk cuddles up to Trump, sparking questions about civil liberties, hypocrisy, oligarchy, and preferential treatment. Notably, it doesn’t seem as though any other major governments have responded in such a large way to the protests they’re experiencing.