Protests erupt nationwide over Elon Musk’s role in federal government

Protests hit Tesla dealerships across the country last weekend. They're the latest flashpoint in a growing battle over power, politics, and accountability. Demonstrators gathered in Portland, Palo Alto, Seattle, Boston, Austin, and Washington, D.C.—aiming for Elon Musk’s leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Driving the news: The rallies are part of a growing “TeslaTakedown” coordinated campaign, which is being promoted on Action Network. Organizers are urging owners to sell their cars and dump Tesla stock—protesting what they see as Musk’s overreach in federal operations.

• In Portland, climate activist and former Tesla employee Brian Ettling told local station KGW8: “If we don’t have a democracy, we won’t be able to solve common problems like climate change."

The bigger picture: The uproar focuses on Musk's efforts to change federal agencies as head of DOGE by cutting programs and reducing workforces.

• Supporters, including President Trump, hail Musk as a bold reformer fighting government waste.

• Critics, including Senators Ron Wyden and Elizabeth Warren, warn that Musk's actions could destabilize federal agencies and threaten oversight.

So—the Treasury Department’s Office of Inspector General is auditing federal payment systems and DOGE’s access to sensitive data.

• At first, Treasury officials claimed that DOGE had “read-only” access. Later, they revealed that Marko Elez, a staffer, had code editing privileges for a short time. This mistake resulted in Elez resigning.

• Musk, with backing from Trump and Vice President JD Vance, called for Elez to be reinstated. In spite of the discovery of Elez's racist social media posts.

Cranking up the heat: The controversy has spilled beyond protests. Attorneys general from 14 states, including Oregon, have filed lawsuits to limit DOGE’s access to federal systems, warning of risks to sensitive data.

At the same time—hostility is rising on the ground. Tesla owners have reported vandalism on their cars. Some vehicles have been marked with swastikas and anti-Musk slogans. Flyers reading “No Nazis in America” were found on cars in California.

Looking ahead: The battle over Musk’s role isn’t slowing down. Protests are growing. Lawsuits are piling up. Online debates are fierce and often split along political lines. Musk’s critics argue his federal ambitions go too far, while his supporters, many of whom align with Trump’s vision, see him as a necessary disruptor.

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