FBI Probes Vandalism Incident at Tesla Charging Station in Washington State
The event occurs in the context of an increasing trend of vandalism and targeted assaults against the electric vehicle manufacturer.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is looking into an incident that caused extensive damage to a Tesla Supercharger station in Washington state, marking the latest episode in a concerning rise of vandalism and attacks aimed at the electric vehicle company.
A photograph shared by the department on Facebook illustrates a significantly damaged power equipment cabinet, with panels ripped off and debris scattered around the area.
“We are on-site with Lacey Police and the FBI, reviewing camera footage,” Tesla remarked. “Don’t tamper with critical infrastructure.”
This incident takes place against a wider backdrop of vandalism directed at Tesla properties—including vehicles, showrooms, and charging stations—that has intensified in recent months.
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Many of these acts have been linked to demonstrations against Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s involvement in the Trump administration, particularly his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency, which has carried out audits of government agencies, leading to significant cuts to the federal budget and workforce.
“If you follow the news, it seems like Armageddon. It feels like I see a Tesla on fire every time I pass a TV,” Musk commented to employees and investors, referring to the protesters who have set Tesla vehicles ablaze. “I understand if you don’t wish to purchase our product, but you don’t have to set it on fire. That’s a bit unreasonable.”
One day prior to Musk’s remarks, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi intensified the federal response to assaults on Tesla, characterizing them as acts of “domestic terrorism” and announcing charges against three alleged offenders.
“The days of committing crimes without facing repercussions are over,” Bondi stated. “Let this serve as a warning: if you partake in this wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla properties, the Department of Justice will ensure you face consequences.”
In the days following Bondi’s announcement, the FBI revealed that it had established a specialized task force—in collaboration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)—to investigate attacks on Tesla assets across the nation. The formation of this task force was prompted just hours after a bomb squad in Austin, Texas, where Tesla’s headquarters are located, discovered multiple incendiary devices at a company showroom.
“This is domestic terrorism,” Patel asserted. “Those responsible will be sought, apprehended, and brought to justice.”
