FBI Cracks Down on Tesla Attacks, Calling Them ‘Domestic Terrorism’
In a bold move, the FBI has launched a task force to tackle a disturbing wave of attacks targeting Tesla vehicles, charging stations, and facilities across the United States. Announced on March 24, 2025, by FBI Director Kash Patel, this multi-agency effort is a response to violent acts like firebombings, shootings, and vandalism that have plagued the electric car giant in recent months. Patel didn’t mince words, labeling these incidents “domestic terrorism” and vowing to hunt down those responsible.
The task force, which includes experts from the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division, the Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), is diving into a string of alarming events. From Las Vegas to Boston, Tesla properties have been hit hard. In one shocking case on March 18, a masked figure in Las Vegas shot up a Tesla service center, torched cars with Molotov cocktails, and scrawled “RESIST” on the building. Similar attacks have popped up in at least nine states, with graffiti hinting at political motives—like calling out “racists” or “fascists”—found at multiple crime scenes.
Patel took to X, the social media platform owned by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, to say, “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.” He promised swift justice, a sentiment echoed by Attorney General Pam Bondi, who recently charged three people for hurling Molotov cocktails at Tesla sites. “This is nothing short of domestic terrorism,” Bondi declared, warning of “severe consequences” for the culprits.
The violence has gotten so bad that the FBI issued a public alert, urging Americans to stay vigilant around Tesla dealerships and report anything suspicious—like people scoping out properties or making threats online. Special Agent in Charge Spencer Evans told reporters that while it’s unclear if these attacks are coordinated, they often happen at night and seem to be the work of lone offenders using simple but dangerous tactics, like homemade firebombs and guns.
Why Tesla? Some point to Elon Musk’s new role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a Trump administration project aimed at slashing federal spending. With the national debt at an all-time high, DOGE has already flagged over $115 billion in potential cuts, sparking fierce debate. Critics, like Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, accuse Musk of “dismantling our government” and have even ditched their Teslas in protest. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind the FBI’s efforts, calling the attackers “sick terrorist thugs” and suggesting they face 20-year prison terms—possibly in a tough new facility in El Salvador.
Musk himself is baffled and outraged. “Tesla just makes electric cars and has done nothing to deserve these evil attacks,” he posted on X after the Las Vegas incident. He called the violence “insane and deeply wrong,” while Tesla fans and employees wonder how a company known for innovation became a political lightning rod.
The latest scare came on March 24, when Austin police found “suspicious devices” at a Tesla dealership in Texas, where the company’s headquarters is based. A bomb squad safely removed what turned out to be incendiary devices, adding fuel to the FBI’s mission. As the task force ramps up, the question looms: Can they stop this spree before it spirals further? For now, the FBI is sending a clear message—mess with Tesla, and you’ll face the full force of the law.
