Las Vegas, Nevada: Following a string of vandalism acts targeting Tesla stores and vehicles, the FBI has launched an investigation into the incidents as a form of protest against company CEO and DOGE chief Elon Musk. The most recent attack on a Las Vegas facility resulted in damage to five vehicles, prompting Musk to denounce the acts as “deranged.”
The protests, which have included instances of arson and vandalism, have occurred nationwide. In Las Vegas, at least five Teslas were damaged in a targeted attack, with the suspect setting cars on fire, firing gunshots, and painting the word “RESIST” on the storefront windows, according to Las Vegas police.
On March 17, two Tesla Cybertrucks caught fire at a Kansas City dealership, believed to be an arson incident. Similarly, in Tigard, Oregon, more than a dozen shots were fired at a Tesla dealership, causing damage to cars and store windows on March 13. Protesters from a British environmentalist group poured orange liquid latex over a Tesla Optimus robot in London on March 12 as a form of protest against Musk.
The FBI, under the leadership of Dan Bongino, is actively investigating the Tesla incidents, emphasizing that such actions constitute federal crimes. Musk, in response to the attacks, has expressed outrage, labeling the incidents as terrorism and condemning the violence. Despite his claims that billionaires and Democratic-affiliated organizations are behind the protests, Musk has not provided evidence to support his accusations.
In a separate statement, Attorney General Pam Bondi characterized the vandalism as domestic terrorism, promising severe consequences for those involved in coordinating and funding the crimes. The Justice Department has already charged several demonstrators in connection with the incidents, some facing mandatory five-year sentences.
With no federal charge for domestic terrorism, individuals suspected of committing such acts must be charged with other crimes under the U.S. federal criminal code. The code defines domestic terrorism as acts intended to coerce the civilian population or government policy through violence or destruction.
Internationally, Tesla protests have also taken place, with incidents reported in France and Germany. Some peaceful protests in the U.S. have been linked to an organization called “Tesla Takedown,” which calls for the boycott of Tesla products and stock and encourages peaceful protests against the company.
The incidents targeting Tesla have raised concerns about the safety and security of the company and its properties. The ongoing investigations and responses from law enforcement and government officials underscore the seriousness of the situation, with efforts to prosecute and hold accountable those responsible for the vandalism.