The FBI has created a task force intended to "crack down on violent Tesla attacks," it announced this week, following a spate of incidents appearing to target Elon Musk's electric car manufacturer.
Acts of violence and vandalism have been unfolding for months against Tesla vehicles and facilities, including charging stations and individually owned vehicles. Protests have been held at Tesla showrooms criticising Musk, the company's chief executive, who is leading the Trump administration's controversial efforts to downsize the federal government's workforce and shrink federal agencies through the Department of Government Efficiency.
Over the weekend, the FBI urged the public to look out for signs of a possible attack on Tesla dealerships or Tesla-related entities, including individuals surveilling or trying to break into Tesla properties or making threats against the company online.
Investigators look over the scene at a Tesla Collision Centre after an individual used incendiary devices to set several vehicles on fire on March 18, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images via CNN Newsource) (Getty)
The new task force will work in conjunction with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to investigate anti-Tesla attacks, FBI assistant director for public affairs Ben Williamson said in a post on X.
The US Justice Department recently announced it will crack down on the rising number of attacks against Tesla, including charging people accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at the electric vehicle maker's properties.
"This is domestic terrorism. Those responsible will be pursued, caught, and brought to justice," FBI Director Kash Patel said on Monday.
Attorney General Pam Bondi also described the anti-Tesla acts as "domestic terrorism" last week, after a person dressed in black shot and set fire to several Tesla vehicles at a repair facility in Las Vegas. Tesla sales and stock prices are also facing stiff declines.
Musk echoed that on his X social media platform on Monday, writing, "There is no doubt that shooting bullets into Tesla stores and burning down Superchargers are acts of terrorism."
FBI Director Kash Patel described the anti-Tesla attacks as "domestic terrorism". (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (AP)
In an X post last week responding to the violent acts aimed at Tesla facilities, Musk wrote, "Tesla just makes electric cars and has done nothing to deserve these evil attacks."
The FBI declined to say how many people will be assigned to the task force. TheNew York Post first reported about the new law enforcement initiative.
There are now local organisers in about 28 states and Washington DC, and the Tesla showrooms have drawn a growing number of demonstrators, CNN previously reported.
One of the organisers of the "Tesla Takedown" movement, Joan Donovan, said in a statement she is being "viciously threatened and doxed" for participating in the public demonstrations, she said in a post on Bluesky.
"Musk has developed his own private army of networked harassers, who are calling me a domestic terrorist for picketing Tesla in reaction to DOGE's likely unconstitutional acts," Donovan went on to say in her post.
Sam Bryant protests against Elon Musk and US President Donald Trump outside a Tesla dealership in the state of Tennessee on March 22, 2025, in Franklin, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) (AP)
Bomb squad removes incendiary devices
Amid the federal government's actions to contain these attacks, police in Austin, Texas, got a call on Monday about possible hazardous materials found at a Tesla dealership.
Responding officers reported "suspicious devices" and called in a bomb squad, which determined the devices to be "incendiary" and took them away without incident, Austin police said.
Police declined to release further details about the type of incendiary devices they found, noting the FBI is now the lead agency investigating the incident.
CNN has reached out to Tesla for comment.
Trump administration ramps up response
Anti-Tesla incidents have happened in at least nine states, the FBI said over the weekend, noting the pattern appears to be them occurring overnight and "conducted by lone offenders."
"These incidents have involved arson, gunfire, and vandalism, including graffiti expressing grievances against those the perpetrators perceive to be racists, fascists, or political opponents," the FBI said, asking anyone with information about these crimes to contact law enforcement.
Meanwhile, some of those protesting Tesla appear to have been targeted as well.
Guests including Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk, arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)
They threw it all behind Trump - and lost more than $300 billion
Last weekend in Florida, protesters outside a Tesla dealership in Palm Beach County had to move out of the way of an SUV that jumped the curb and drove toward them, according to authorities, recalled a woman who recorded the aftermath with her cell phone.
A black SUV slowing down and crept by the protesters before suddenly accelerating. The SUV almost struck people, but no one was injured, authorities said.
A Tesla employee told police the man driving the car got out and went inside the dealership and said he stands with Tesla, according to an arrest report.
Tesla owners say they have been targeted
Meanwhile, individual Tesla owners across the country say they're being targeted.
One Tesla owner in Wichita, Kansas, told CNN affiliate KAKE she found deep scratches in her brand new, bright red vehicle after having dinner at a local restaurant last Thursday.
"Damaging a personal vehicle does not affect Elon Musk," Abigail Gill told KAKE. "It's not damaging who you're thinking it is."
Wichita Police confirmed that Gill has filed a police report and they are investigating the incident.
And authorities in Newtown Township, Pennsylvania, are investigating the vandalism of a Tesla Cybertruck by a group of juveniles on Sunday after video of the incident was shared with the police department.