FBI launches Tesla vandalism task force

The FBI confirmed Monday it has established a task force to investigate the wave of vandalism and arson incidents targeting Tesla in recent weeks.

“Director [Kash] Patel has been unequivocally clear: The FBI will be relentless in its mission to protect the American people,” the FBI said in a statement, confirming reporting of the task force.

“Acts of violence, vandalism, and domestic terrorism — like the recent Tesla attacks — will be pursued with the full force of the law,” the FBI statement continued.

The New York Post first reported Monday that the task force, consisting of 10 people, launched as a joint effort between the FBI’s counterterrorism division and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The task force seeks to counter the violent activity targeting Tesla vehicles and charging stations in recent weeks.

The Post reported the FBI so far this month has received reports of 48 incidents involving Tesla, including at least seven it is investigating with local law enforcement.

“Can confirm: The FBI has launched a Task Force in conjunction with ATF to coordinate investigative activity and crack down on violent Tesla attacks,” Ben Williamson, the FBI's assistant director of public affairs, said on the social platform X, responding to the Post’s story about the task force.

Patel responded to the Post’s story, too, calling attacks on Tesla “domestic terrorism” and pledging to bring perpetrators to justice.

“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,” he continued. “Those responsible will be pursued, caught, and brought to justice.”

The task force's establishment follows weeks of violent protests targeting tech billionaire Elon Musk’s Tesla showrooms and charging stations, fueling concerns that political tensions could reach a boiling point amid anger over Musk’s efforts to slash the federal bureaucracy.

Musk is facing mounting backlash over his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency, which is driving mass layoffs at federal agencies, slashing government programs and obtaining access to sensitive personal information. 

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