Tesla factory humming; Trump shows support for its reopening

FREMONT, Calif. — Tesla’s Elon Musk is in a showdown with California officials over the reopening of a major factory, one of the most prominent examples of a powerful business defying health orders that require all but essential activities to cease.

Musk continued to ramp up production at the company’s Fremont facilities Tuesday, where the company produces its electric vehicles. Workers’ cars filled the company’s parking lot, with no signs of any enforcement actions by Alameda County officials, who sent a letter Monday telling the company to cease production.

Musk drew public support Tuesday from President Donald Trump. “California should let Tesla & @elonmusk open the plant, NOW,” Trump tweeted. “It can be done Fast & Safely!” Musk tweeted back, “Thank you!” Fremont Police would need to enforce the county’s order. Fremont Police spokeswoman Geneva Bosques said there was no update Tuesday. The city’s mayor issued a statement in support of Tesla on Saturday.

Musk on Monday dared local health officials to arrest him. “Tesla is restarting production today against Alameda County rules,” Musk wrote on Twitter. “I will be on the line with everyone else. If anyone is arrested, I ask that it only be me.”

Colleen Chalwa, Health Care Services Agency director of Alameda County, sent a letter Monday ordering Tesla to cease production.

“If the reports we have received are true, Tesla is engaging in work beyond Minimum Basic Operations, and is in violation of the Health Officer Order,” she wrote. “These activities must cease until the Health Officer approves Tesla’s site-specific plan, as required by the State of California guidance and checklist for manufacturing, and issues an order permitting manufacturing generally.”