On Monday, March 2025, the FBI announced the formation of a task force dedicated to investigating the recent assaults on Tesla, the electric vehicle manufacturer led by CEO and founder Elon Musk, who previously served as the chief of DOGE during the Trump administration. This announcement followed the discovery of several incendiary devices at a Tesla showroom in Austin, Texas, which also serves as the company’s headquarters.
The FBI task force is collaborating closely with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The initial report regarding the task force was published by the New York Post.
These incendiary devices represent the latest in a series of attacks and acts of vandalism targeting Tesla properties owned by Musk and his DOGE team.
Protests have also occurred
As reported by NBC News, there have been at least 80 documented incidents of vandalism or arson involving Tesla vehicles across the United States and Canada. Additionally, peaceful protests have taken place at various Tesla showrooms.
FBI Director Kash Patel has made a statement
“The FBI has been monitoring the rise in violent incidents directed at Tesla, and in recent days, we have implemented further measures to enhance our response and coordination,” stated FBI Director Kash Patel in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday. “This constitutes domestic terrorism. Those responsible will be identified, apprehended, and held accountable,” Patel added.
Musk addressed the situation at a Tesla event
“If you follow the news, it feels like, you know, Armageddon,” he remarked to his employees. He further expressed that anyone who set fire to Tesla vehicles was acting like a “psycho” and urged them to “stop being psycho!”
A Tesla employee informed CNBC that there has been no communication regarding protests or criminal activities targeting the company since the event on Thursday.
Support from Trump and others
In recent weeks, US President Donald Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick have publicly supported both Tesla and Musk, denouncing the attackers and acts of vandalism.
Numerous individuals were apprehended. Bondi emphasized the detainment of several individuals linked to the vandalism of Tesla vehicles. Furthermore, Trump proposed that those found guilty of these offenses might be sentenced to serve their time in prisons located in El Salvador.
