The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said on Monday that it has launched a task force to probe attacks on billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk co-founded Tesla in recent weeks.
The formation of the task force by the FBI came hours after a bomb squad found incendiary devices in one of the Tesla showrooms in Austin, Texas where the company has its headquarters. The task force is operating with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Musk has been chosen by US President Donald Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to downsize the federal government’s workforce and shrink the size of federal agencies.
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
According to a NBC News report, there have been at least 80 cases of violence and arson against Tesla vehicles in the US and Canada, other than the peaceful protests outside Tesla showrooms.
Violence and vandalism against Tesla vehicles and showrooms have been ongoing for months, including attacks on Tesla’s charging stations. FBI Director Kash Patel has called the act as “domestic terrorism” and added that those responsible will be brought to justice.
Protesters rally outside a Tesla dealership in San Francisco. (AP photo
Patel, in a post on X, said “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.”
Earlier, US Attorney General Pam Bondi also called the anti-Tesla acts as “domestic terrorism” after a person burnt several Tesla vehicles at a repair facility in Las Vegas.
Musk also addressed the issue of vandalism at an event last week, where he stated “If you read the news, it feels like, you know, Armageddon.”
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd