The FBI recently partnered with the ATF to address a new challenge. They’ve formed a task force to explore a wave of vandalizing raids on Tesla precincts. This announcement follows last week’s unveiling of a series of incendiary devices. These devices were confiscated at a Tesla observation center in Austin, Texas, now the company’s headquarters.
FBI Director Kash Patel even commented on the dark scene on X, calling it “domestic terrorism.” This procedure step will require the task force to work proactively to align investigative priorities. Their goal is to stop the coordinated assaults on the electric vehicle producer.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk referenced the recent vandalism at a company event on Thursday, telling employees, "If you read the news, it feels like, you know, Armageddon." Musk previously called people burning Tesla cars “psycho mongers” and told them to “get the hell out and stop being psycho!”
According to these reports, CEO Musk has been hands-on with the DOGE development team. They’re trying to impose the biggest cuts ever made to federal government spending and employment. The serial attacks and acts of vandalism on Tesla properties seem to be related to this initiative.
One Tesla employee who spoke with CNBC said the company hasn’t “address[ed] anything” regarding the protests or criminal damage. This announcement follows last week’s Thursday all-hands event. Laurie Shelby, Tesla's vice president of Environment, Health and Safety and Security, has not yet responded to requests for comment on the company's plans to protect its facilities.
The FBI confirmed creation of the task force in a tweet from spokesman Ben Williamson. This was an answer to previous calls for reporting. Fifth, the task force emphasizes how seriously law enforcement is taking these incidents.
