Authorities in Austin, Texas, are investigating a troubling incident involving the discovery of multiple incendiary devices at a Tesla dealership on Monday morning. The devices were found after police responded to a call regarding suspicious materials around 8:04 a.m. According to the Austin Police Department, the devices were confirmed to be incendiary and taken into custody without incident.

This investigation comes amidst a series of similar attacks targeting Tesla vehicles and dealerships across the United States since January. Reports highlight incidents of vandalism and arson in multiple states, raising concerns about a coordinated campaign against the electric vehicle manufacturer and its CEO, Elon Musk. The FBI has noted that there have been as many as 48 reported incidents affecting Tesla in at least nine states, including fire and vandalism at dealership locations, as stated in a recent CBS News report.

The increasing violence has drawn attention from local and federal law enforcement, with U.S. officials deeming such attacks as “domestic terrorism.” Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized that these acts meet the criteria for severe legal responses, stating that the Justice Department will become involved in ensuring justice is served for those targeting Tesla.ABC News reported in its coverage that methods used in these incidents are often simplistic and executed under the cover of night, complicating detection and arrests.

In the wake of the Texas incident, the FBI has established a task force, which includes resources from agencies such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, to tackle the surge in violence against Tesla. Director Kash Patel affirmed the determination to address these threats, labeling them as domestic terrorism while vowing that perpetrators would "be pursued, caught, and brought to justice," as highlighted in another The Hill article.

The growing unrest is said to stem from discontent regarding Elon Musk's political involvement as well as broader societal tensions, with escalating protests against him and President Trump occurring outside various Tesla locations. Despite the turmoil, Musk has characterized the attacks as irrational and disconnected, remarking during a Tesla meeting, “This is extreme arson and destruction.” The collective sense of urgency surrounding these incidents points to a rapid escalation of concerns for both public safety and corporate security in the electric vehicle market.