The FBI has formed a task force to investigate a wave of attacks targeting Tesla vehicles and dealerships, with FBI Director Kash Patel calling these actions “domestic terrorism.”
“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,” Patel wrote on X. “This is domestic terrorism. Those responsible will be pursued, caught, and brought to justice.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is also involved in the probe, working alongside federal agents to combat the rising number of attacks.
The task force’s formation follows a Monday morning incident at a Tesla showroom in Austin, Texas, where multiple incendiary devices were discovered. Authorities quickly removed the devices, and the FBI is now leading the investigation.
In the past few weeks, Tesla dealerships, charging stations, and vehicles have been frequent targets of vandalism and arson, with at least 80 reported cases across the U.S. and Canada.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton blamed the violence on “radical liberals” and pledged his full support to bring those responsible to justice.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who also heads the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), responded to the crackdown with fire emojis on X.
A group known as Tesla Takedown has been organizing peaceful protests against Musk, claiming their goal is to pressure him to leave his government position. While the group denounces violence, the FBI continues to investigate whether recent attacks are connected to any organized efforts.
As federal authorities ramp up their investigation, suspects behind the attacks face serious charges, and the government is making it clear: violence, vandalism, and destruction of property will not be tolerated.
