FBI launches task force targeting anti-Tesla ‘domestic terrorism’

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By Matthew Rehbein, Hannah Rabinowitz, Javon Huynh, Zoe Sottile and Sharif Paget, CNN

(CNN) — The FBI has created a task force intended to “crack down on violent Tesla attacks,” it announced Monday, 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 criticizing Musk, the company’s CEO, 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.

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 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 automaker’s properties.

“This is domestic terrorism. Those responsible will be pursued, caught, and brought to justice,” FBI Director Kash Patel said 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.”

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. The New York Post first reported about the new law enforcement initiative.

Bomb squad removes incendiary devices from Tesla dealer in Austin, Texas

Amid the federal government’s actions to contain these attacks, police in Austin, Texas, got a call Monday morning 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.

Here are some of the notable recent incidents involving Tesla vehicles and facilities:

• Las Vegas, March 18: A person dressed in black shot at Tesla cars at a repair shop and ignited two of them with Molotov cocktails, police said. The word ‘Resist’ was spray-painted on the front doors of the shop. No injuries were reported, and the fires were put out before they could reach the Teslas’ batteries. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the attack.
• South Carolina, March 7: A 24-year-old man allegedly threw five Molotov cocktails at a Tesla charging station in North Charleston, according to the Justice Department. Witnesses reported seeing a man spray-paint an expletive against Trump and “Long Live Ukraine” in red paint in the parking lot, the DOJ said.
• Portland, Oregon, March 6: At least seven gunshots were fired into a Tesla showroom in the middle of the night, according to police. Windows were shattered, and three cars were damaged. One bullet went through an office wall and into a computer monitor.
• Boston, March 3: Seven Tesla charging stations in a mall outside the Massachusetts capital were set on fire, according to the Littleton Police Department.
• Washington, DC, March 2: Two people defaced Tesla vehicles, twice writing political hate speech on the vehicles before fleeing, the Metropolitan Police Department said.
• Loveland, Colorado, late January and February: A woman allegedly attacked a Tesla dealer on multiple occasions, including throwing Molotov cocktails and spray-painting words on vehicles and windows, including the word “Nazi,” according to authorities.

Meanwhile, some of those protesting Tesla appear to have been targeted as well.

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 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.

All four suspects are local and have been identified, according to Newtown Township Police Capt. Jason Harris. The investigation of the incident continues pending interviews, and no charges had been filed as of Tuesday morning, Harris said.

CNN’s Andy Rose, Chris Isidore, Rebekah Riess and Andi Babineau contributed to this report.

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