Minneapolis City Council member Jason Chavez drew widespread social media criticism after asserting that Waymo autonomous vehicles are killing cats and urging officials to mandate human operators in driverless cars. During a council session, Chavez stated that he had watched a video of an incident from the dais, describing it as "really hard to watch" and characterizing the event as "cats being murdered by these vehicles." He appealed to "cat lovers," noting his own ownership of a cat and expressing a desire to prevent it from being killed by autonomous technology.
The remarks followed the narrow passage of an ordinance on Thursday that would require a human operator and a special license for all autonomous vehicles in the city. However, the measure’s implementation remains uncertain. Mayor Jacob Frey announced in a statement to multiple Minnesota outlets that he intends to veto the proposal. Frey stated that the ordinance "doesn't make sense" and characterized it as a "backdoor ban" of the vehicles. He indicated that the city will continue efforts to embrace "innovative technology," including new transportation options, while acknowledging safety concerns.
The controversy prompted a wave of mockery on X, with users accusing Chavez of prioritizing feline safety over more significant municipal issues. Townhall columnist Dustin Grage posted that the council wanted to require a human in driverless vehicles because cats were being "murdered," noting Chavez’s annual salary of $110,000. Grage further posted, "They're calling it the cat genocide" and "Hide your cats. The Waymos are coming." Conservative commentator Gunther Eagleman described the focus as a sign of failed leadership, writing that a city which allowed rioters to burn down a police precinct and witnessed a $250 million fraud scheme is now concerned with robot cars. Eagleman stated, "Minneapolis doesn't have a driverless car problem. It has a leadership problem."
Other critics included Fox News Digital columnist David Marcus, who questioned why a council member earning $110,000 is focused on cats while families are priced out of homes. Three Rivers Park Commissioner Jennifer DeJournett also weighed in on X. Some users countered the claims about animal safety. Journalist Zaid Jilani posted that his self-driving Tesla stopped for cats to cross the road and noted that Waymo is more advanced. Sean Stapleton, CEO and co-founder of Dealer Teamwork, stated that his FSD-equipped Tesla avoids animals on the road, labeling Chavez’s claims as false.
The debate highlights growing tensions over the integration of autonomous taxi services. Supporters argue that requiring a human operator would effectively ban these services and lead to higher fares, while opponents cite safety risks and potential job losses. Fox News Digital reached out to Chavez for comment regarding the incident and the subsequent viral response.