PORTLAND, Ore. () Portland and Salem, Oregon, have become ground zero for a series of attacks targeting Tesla vehicles and dealerships, with local activists and residents deeply divided over the escalating violence.

Tesla owners now report feeling unsafe on local roads. The atmosphere is so volatile that drivers and dealership employees feel constantly on edge.

The CEO of the company, Elon Musk, is facing mounting backlash over his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency, which is driving mass layoffs at federal agencies, slashing government programs and obtaining access to sensitive personal information. 

At a recent protest outside a local Tesla dealership, tensions were palpable. While some organizers insisted their demonstrations were peaceful, others expressed a more confrontational view.

One protester argued that “destruction of property is a perfectly viable source of protest,” saying that “these are just things, these are just cars.”

The most extreme local incident involved Adam Lansky, a 41-year-old transgender activist arrested for attacking a Salem Tesla dealership. Neighbors described Lansky as someone who was involved in firearms training.

Lansky was giving out stickers of a gun surrounded by cartoon animals. that said, “together, we can do powerful things.”

Online sites including Philly Anti-Capitalist provide specific instructions and guidelines for safely burning Teslas.

Local groups such as “Troublemakers” have organized protests, though they claim to discourage violence.

“We are not associated with anyone who is doing any kind of violence. They are not welcome here. That is not our mission,” one protester said.

However, witnesses reported seeing protesters positioned in trees during demonstrations, suggesting a level of strategic planning.

“Destruction of property is a perfectly viable source of protest. No harming humans. Obviously, human life is sacred, no matter whose it is, but property, these are just things. These are just cars,” another protester said.

Many Tesla owners in Portland and Salem are liberal-leaning individuals who may not support Elon Musk personally but appreciate the car’s American-made status and its employment of thousands of U.S. workers.

FBI launches task force investigation into wave of vandalism targeting Tesla

The FBI confirmed Monday that it has established a task force to investigate the wave of vandalism and arson incidents targeting Tesla.

The task force, consisting of 10 people, was launched as a joint effort between the FBI’s counterterrorism division and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The FBI so far this month has received reports of 48 incidents involving Tesla, including at least seven it is investigating with local law enforcement.

partner The Hill contributed to this report.