How my Tesla felt like a target for vandals, thanks to Trump

Count me in the ranks of those who have quit Tesla. Three years ago my wife and I bought a Model Y, Tesla's small SUV.

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I was particularly intrigued by a car that ran on electricity, not gas. Living in Fresno, California, in one of the nation's most polluted air basins, meant that driving an EV, with its zero emissions, would be my small contribution in the movement to reduce air pollution. The Tesla, as an engineering feat, was great. There were lots of safety features, like lane departure alerts and front camera vision.

The ride was smooth and comfortable. The space where the engine sits in gas vehicles was a second trunk, or "frunk." And the acceleration was amazing. I never doubted I could zoom around trouble on the road when needed. Plus, with fewer moving parts than a combustion motor, the Tesla did not require oil changes and other typical maintenance - saving money.

It was black with black wheels. My wife adores white cars. But she overcame her opposition and came to like our SUV, which I dutifully kept washed. We once took it on a road trip to Seattle and had no problems finding charging stations.

Then came the election of Donald Trump through the hefty financial support of Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, aka the world's richest man. And my Tesla SUV suddenly became the political statement I never sought. Trump has allowed Musk unprecedented access to federal government systems and data, supposedly to cut government waste.