FBI asked the public to "exercise vigilance" in attacks on Tesla property

The FBI urged the public Friday to "exercise vigilance" near the various properties owned by the Tesla company, following the numerous incidents of vandalism and destruction that have occurred in recent weeks against the electric vehicle giant, which is owned by South African tycoon Elon Musk. The agency detailed in a statement that those responsible for these criminal acts are nothing more than "lone offenders" who typically target company property in the evening hours. "Individuals require little planning to use rudimentary tactics, such as improvised incendiary devices and firearms and may perceive these attacks as victimless property crimes," the FBI stated.

The agency also explained that the vast majority of incidents against Tesla have been directed against its vehicles, charging stations, storage lots and dealerships, noting that Tesla vehicles have been attacked in at least nine states across the country since January 2025. Similarly, the FBI indicated that the most commonly repeated types of incidents have been acts of vandalism, such as graffiti, firearms shootings and arson.

"Be aware of your surroundings at all times and report suspicious activities to the authorities. Reporting these crimes can help law enforcement identify violent or malicious actors and prevent further damage," the FBI wrote in a statement.

"Domestic terrorism"

The attacks on Tesla, which have been considered by some experts to be clear examples of domestic terrorism, began after Musk was appointed by the president of the United States, Donald Trump, as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The agency has been the main instrument of the Republican leader to make good on his promise to cut public spending through massive and eliminate certain agencies that are considered wasteful.

Trump posted on his Truth Social account that "I look forward to seeing these depraved terrorists receive 20 year prison sentences for what they are doing to Elon Musk and Tesla." The U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the attacks on Tesla - whose stock price has plummeted in recent days - constitute a clear act of "domestic terrorism."