NEWARK, NJ – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched a sweeping crackdown on an organized nationwide domestic terrorist plot aimed at Tesla owners, their vehicles, and dealerships across the United States. In a press conference held earlier today,
FBI Director Kash Patel outlined the agency’s aggressive new strategy to identify, arrest, and prosecute those responsible for a wave of coordinated attacks that have included vandalism, vehicle damage, and arson against Tesla properties.
The announcement comes amid a surge in violent incidents targeting Tesla, the electric vehicle giant led by CEO Elon Musk, who has faced heightened scrutiny since taking a prominent role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Authorities have linked the attacks to a broader backlash against Musk’s political involvement, with perpetrators allegedly organizing through online platforms and grassroots networks to carry out acts of domestic terrorism.
“We are dealing with a clear and present threat to public safety,” Director Patel stated. “These are not isolated incidents but part of an organized effort to intimidate Tesla owners and disrupt a great American company. The FBI, in coordination with local law enforcement and the Department of Justice, will leave no stone unturned in bringing these domestic terrorists to justice.”
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force has already made several arrests in connection with the plot, including individuals suspected of hurling Molotov cocktails at Tesla dealerships in Las Vegas and Kansas City earlier this week.
Federal agents are also investigating reports of gunfire at a Tesla showroom in Tigard, Oregon, and widespread vandalism in states like Massachusetts, Colorado, and Maryland. Patel emphasized that the agency is pursuing not only the perpetrators but also those providing financial or logistical support to the attacks, labeling them as accomplices in domestic terrorism.
A key tool in the FBI’s efforts has been the advanced camera systems installed in most Tesla vehicles. Known for their high-resolution Sentry Mode feature, these cameras have proven instrumental in capturing footage of the attacks, providing law enforcement with critical evidence to identify and apprehend suspects. From spray-painted vehicles to arson attempts, Tesla’s built-in surveillance technology has offered a real-time window into the crimes, significantly aiding police efforts nationwide.
“Tesla owners should know that their vehicles are not just targets—they’re also helping us fight back,” said Spencer Evans, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Las Vegas field office. “The footage from these cameras has been invaluable in identifying these domestic terrorists. We’re using every resource at our disposal, including this technology, to ensure those responsible face the full weight of the law.”
The violence has escalated in recent weeks, with incidents reported in multiple cities. In Las Vegas, security cameras recorded a figure in black tossing incendiary devices into a Tesla collision center lot, setting several vehicles ablaze.
Similar attacks in Kansas City and Oregon have prompted federal authorities to classify the spree as a coordinated terrorist campaign. Attorney General Pamela Bondi, speaking alongside Patel, underscored the severity of the charges being pursued, noting that some suspects could face mandatory minimum sentences of five years, with others potentially looking at up to 20 years in prison.
President Trump, who has publicly supported Musk and Tesla, reiterated his stance that such attacks constitute domestic terrorism. “Anyone who targets Tesla—its owners, its dealerships, its workers—is attacking American innovation,” Trump said during a recent White House event. “We’re going to catch them, and they’re going to pay a heavy price.”
While peaceful protests against Tesla have occurred under groups like “Tesla Takedown,” the FBI stressed that its focus is on violent actors, not lawful demonstrators. However, the agency is also investigating potential links between protest organizers and the funding of criminal activities, a move that has sparked debate over the balance between free expression and public safety.