Texas GOP Rep. Chip Roy is demanding answers after yet another Tesla property was targeted for vandalism, this time near his own congressional district.
The Austin Police Department confirmed Monday several incendiary devices were discovered at a Tesla dealership in north Austin, making it one of a growing number of Tesla locations allegedly victimized by opponents of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has become a prominent member of the Trump administration. Texas GOP Rep. Chip Roy, whose district covers much of Austin, is asking police who they may suspect and if there are any connections to extremists.
“Since President Trump returned to office and directed Tesla CEO Elon Musk to oversee the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), several Tesla dealerships, vehicle lots, charging stations, and even privately owned Tesla vehicles have been targets of criminal activity nationwide,” Roy wrote Friday to Austin Police Department (APD) Chief Lisa Davis, in a letter first obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation. “These acts have escalated from mere vandalism to dangerous acts, including igniting Tesla vehicles on fire, shooting live ammunition, and throwing Molotov cocktails at Tesla showrooms.”
Roy noted that law enforcement has responded to roughly 50 instances of Tesla vehicles, charging stations and dealerships being targeted across the United States in recent months. The FBI believes many of these attacks to be politically motivated against a high-profile company led by Musk.
“As I am sure you’re aware, Tesla Inc. is headquartered in Austin and has five other locations across the city,” Roy said. “Therefore, I request that any ongoing threat to Tesla be handled judiciously to ensure its employees, clients, and Austin residents do not fall victim to a potential attack.”
Since joining the Trump administration and leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), attacks against Tesla vehicles and property have increased. Austin, a heavily Democratic city within the GOP-friendly state of Texas, was just one of the latest places to be hit.
Since 2025, incidents against Tesla cars and property have been reported in at least nine different states, according to the FBI. These alleged attacks have included shot out windows, Molotov cocktails, torched charging stations, incendiary devices, “Nazi” spray-painted on cars and other incidents.
“The FBI is working with our law enforcement partners to investigate a number of recent incidents in which Tesla charging stations and dealerships were damaged,” an FBI spokesperson said to the DCNF. “Incidents have occurred in several states and the FBI is coordinating with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to gather information.”
The attacks have become so frequent that federal investigators now suspect an organized effort may be involved. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed a task force has been mobilized to better crack down on the matter.
“The FBI has been investigating the increase in violent activity toward Tesla, and over the last few days, we have taken additional steps to crack down and coordinate our response,” Patel said Monday. “This is domestic terrorism. Those responsible will be pursued, caught, and brought to justice.”
Roy is asking the APD if they have identified any persons of interest involving the incendiary devices found at the Austin Tesla dealership and whether they have discovered any signs that it was tied to extremist groups. The Texas congressman is also asking how many incidents of vandalism have been reported to the APD since Trump resumed office in January and if they plan to increase security at the other Tesla locations in the Austin area.
“My constituents routinely express their concerns about public safety in Austin and the surrounding areas,” Roy said. “As their elected representative, I have a duty to inquire if their safety or security is in jeopardy, especially if incidents such as these are related to terrorism.”
APD deferred to the FBI in a request for comment from the DCNF.
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