Bondi labels Tesla vandalism 'domestic terrorism'
Attorney General Pam Bondi labeled the recent vandalism targeting Tesla dealerships and cars as “domestic terrorism” and added the Department of Justice (DOJ) has already charged “several” alleged perpetrators. Some could face up to five years in prison.
“The swarm of violent attacks on Tesla property is nothing short of domestic terrorism. The Department of Justice has already charged several perpetrators with that in mind, including in cases that involve charges with five-year mandatory minimum sentences,” Bondi said in a statement released Tuesday.
“We will continue investigations that impose severe consequences on those involved in these attacks, including those operating behind the scenes to coordinate and fund these crimes,” the attorney general said.
Protesters in several states across the country have targeted Tesla’s dealerships, showrooms, charging stations and vehicles. No injuries have been reported.
Multiple Tesla cars were lit on fire in Las Vegas this week. Law enforcement along with the FBI are probing the incident. In Kansas City, Cybertrucks at a dealership were damaged, the FBI said.
Tesla was removed from the upcoming Vancouver International Auto Show, according to the show’s Executive Director Eric Nicholl, who said the event’s “primary concern is the safety of attendees, exhibitors, and staff.”
Canadians in multiple cities have participated in the "Tesla Takedown" protests to rebuke Elon Musk, the tech entrepreneur who heads six major companies, including Tesla.
The protests — in the U.S., Canada and other countries around the world — have surfaced since President Trump took office in January and directed Musk to oversee the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an advisory board that has infiltrated various federal government agencies and departments in the name of cutting spending and rooting out waste and abuse.
DOGE’s efforts have led to terminations of thousands of federal workers, while some agencies had their congressionally appropriated funds withheld. The advisory board has been strongly criticized by Democrats on Capitol Hill and has run into roadblocks in court.
Musk rebuked those behind the recent attacks against Tesla’s vehicles.
“It’s really come as quite a shock to me that there is this level of, really, hatred and violence from the left. I always thought that the left, you know, Democrats were supposed to be the party of empathy, the party of caring, and yet they’re burning down cars, firebombing dealerships, they’re firing bullets into dealerships, they’re smashing up Teslas,” Musk said Tuesday during an interview with Fox News’s Sean Hannity.
Bondi, the nation’s top law enforcement officer, warned vandals last week to “watch out” as the Trump administration looked to retaliate against those damaging the electric vehicles.
“I have already directed an investigation be opened to see how is this being funded, who is behind this, doing this,” Bondi said on Fox Business.
“We have people we’re locking up on that,” she said. “We have someone in jail right now from one of the dealerships. They threw a Molotov cocktail through a dealership. They’re looking at up to 20 years in prison.”
Last month, a woman in Colorado was arrested for allegedly spray painting the word “Nazi” and igniting Molotov cocktails at a Tesla dealership.
Daniel Clarke-Pounder, 24, was arrested last week on criminal charges after allegedly throwing five Molotov cocktails that damaged Tesla chargers. The man also allegedly spray painted in red paint, “F‑‑‑ Trump” and “Long Live Ukraine” in a Tesla charging station parking spot, according to the U.S. attorney's office of District of South Carolina.
"While we will defend the public’s right to peaceful protest, we will not hesitate to act when protest crosses the line into violence and mayhem. These kinds of attacks have no place in our community,” acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews for the District of South Carolina said in a statement.
-
Pam Bondi Calls Tesla Vandalism ‘Domestic Terrorism,’ Promising Consequences
The attorney general echoed remarks by President Trump, as protesters against Elon Musk and his efforts to shrink the government have defaced and destroyed Tesla vehicles.The New York Times - 16h -
Trump floats labeling violence against Tesla dealerships as domestic terrorism
President Trump hinted he would be open to labeling individuals who carry out violence at Tesla dealerships as “domestic terrorists” following a string of violent demonstrations at the electric ...The Hill - Mar. 11 -
Bondi tells Tesla vandals to 'watch out'
Attorney General Pam Bondi warned Tesla vandals to “watch out” Friday, as the Trump administration seeks to crack down on those targeting Tesla dealerships and cars. Bondi said she has opened an ...The Hill - 5d -
Trump calls Tesla boycott ‘illegal’ and says he’s buying one to support Musk
Standing in the driveway of the White House with Tesla vehicles, Trump said he would label violence against the company’s showrooms as domestic terrorism. Donald Trump said he is buying a “brand ...The Guardian - Mar. 11 -
Multiple Teslas vandalized at California dealership
The vandalism comes two days after a protest at the same Tesla dealership.The Hill - 1d -
Tesla vehicles vandalized across US since Musk began White House role
Tesla vehicles, dealerships and charging stations have been hit with vandalisms, fires and protests since Elon Musk began his role at the White House.ABC News - Mar. 12 -
FBI investigates blazes at Las Vegas Tesla showroom as potential terrorism
Federal law enforcement is looking into at least three other Molotov cocktail incidents at Tesla showrooms across US. Never miss global breaking news. Download our free app to keep up with key ...The Guardian - 1d -
DOGE doxx site maps 'Musk World' as Trump AG threatens Tesla vandals with federal charges
Tesla CEO Elon Musk spent hundreds of millions to help President Donald Trump win a second term. His electric vehicle maker is paying a price for that.CNBC - 22m -
Tesla faces backlash over Elon Musk's ties to Trump and far-right support
Tesla shares have plunged more than 47% since President Trump's inauguration as criticism mounts over Elon Musk's involvement in the administration and his statements backing far-right views. ...CBS News - Mar. 11 -
Sydney caravan a ‘fake terrorism plot’ and antisemitic attacks a scheme to divert police resources, authorities allege
‘The caravan plot was an elaborate scheme contrived by organised criminals domestically and from offshore,’ AFP deputy commissioner Krissy Barrett says. Get our breaking news email , free app ...The Guardian - Mar. 10 -
Bondi's deadline passes on finding 2nd amendment violations of Biden's actions
Attorney General Pam Bondi is looking into whether Biden administration policies infringe on Americans' right to bear arms.ABC News - Mar. 12 -
Bondi on continued deportation flights despite judge's order: 'Absolutely'
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Trump administration would “absolutely” continue to remove undocumented Venezuelan immigrants on deportation flights despite a ruling from a federal judge ...The Hill - 1d -
Bondi says judge has 'no right' to ask flight deportation questions
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the district judge who ordered the Trump administration to return deportation flights over the weekend has “no right” to be asking questions about the specifics. ...The Hill - 3h -
Airline CEOs warn domestic travel demand is slowing
Airline CEOs say economic uncertainty and a drop in government travel is driving down domestic travel demand.CNBC - Mar. 11 -
Suspect in Slovak premier's attempted assassination is indicted on terror charges
Prosecutors in Slovakia says the suspect in the attempted assassination of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico last year has been indicted on terror chargesABC News - 2d -
Police arrest Istanbul mayor over alleged corruption and terror links
Turkish police have arrested Istanbul’s mayor — a key rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan — as part of an investigation into alleged corruption and terror linksABC News - 18h -
Pro-Palestinian activists vandalize Trump golf course in Scotland over Gaza comments
Pro-Palestinian activists vandalized President Trump’s golf course in Scotland on Saturday to protest his administration’s policies in the Gaza Strip. In white, boldface capital letters, activists ...The Hill - Mar. 9 -
MP calls for inquiry into labelling of black pupils as ‘educationally subnormal’
Kim Johnson tells parliament lessons must be learnt from poor treatment of children at institutions in 1960s and 70s. The historic injustice of a scandal in which black children were incorrectly ...The Guardian - 6d -
AG Pam Bondi forms DOJ team to work with DOGE on cost-cutting efforts: Sources
AG Pam Bondi has established an internal DOJ team to work with Elon Musk's DOGE group to facilitate the review of the Justice Department's various divisions, sources say.ABC News - 6d -
A cache of explosives in Sydney provoked antisemitic terrorism fears. Police now say it was faked
Police in Australia say an explosives-filled trailer that politicians earlier described as an antisemitic terrorism plot and a foiled mass casualty event was staged by criminals in a complicated hoaxABC News - Mar. 10 -
Police arrest Istanbul mayor and key Erdogan rival over alleged corruption and terror links
Police in Turkey arrested Istanbul’s mayor — a key rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan — as part of investigations into alleged corruption and terror links.NBC News - 17h -
What’s Driving Tesla’s Woes?
As Tesla faces a global sales slump, and with shares down for the seventh consecutive week, could Elon Musk's antics really be to blame?Wired - Mar. 8 -
Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy arrested in Texas on domestic violence charge
Xavier Worthy was released Saturday after a district attorney in Texas declined to pursue charges against the Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver following an arrest in which he had been accused of ...NBC News - Mar. 9 -
Takeaways From Our Investigation Into Domestic Worker Abuse in Saudi Arabia
Housekeepers from East Africa suffer beatings, starvation and sexual assault in Saudi Arabia. Here’s what else we learned about the cross-border trade in domestic workers.The New York Times - 3d -
Trump golf resort vandalized by pro-Palestinian activists
The United Kingdom-based activist group Palestine Action said it "rejects Donald Trump's treatment of Gaza as though it were his property to dispose of as he likes."CBS News - Mar. 8 -
Hearse attacked by vandals while on way to funeral
The vehicle's window was smashed in an attack while travelling through Edinburgh's Longstone Road.BBC News - 14h -
Taiwan’s president labels China a ‘foreign hostile force’ and ramps up security measures citing ‘infiltration’
Lai Ching-te’s speech – which included a proposal to set up military courts – prompted an angry reaction from Beijing, which called him a ‘creator of crisis’. Taiwan’s new president has formally ...The Guardian - 5d -
House GOP budget plan would cut domestic spending by $13 billion
House Speaker Mike Johnson has unveiled his plan to avert a government shutdown by Friday night. The short-term stopgap bill would fund the government until Sept. 30, increase defense spending by ...CBS News - Mar. 10 -
Trump's White House Tesla expo
Presented by Ericsson {beacon} Technology Technology PRESENTED BY The Big Story Trump buys a Tesla in defense of Elon Musk President Trump bought a Tesla Tuesday afternoon to "make a ...The Hill - Mar. 11 -
Tesla says it is 'exposed' to retaliatory tariffs
Tesla warned U.S. trade representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer that the electric vehicle company and other American exporters are “inherently exposed” to retaliatory tariffs levied in response to ...The Hill - 5d -
The Tesla is no longer a progressive status symbol
From celebrities to school teachers, some Tesla owners are offloading their vehicles due to CEO Elon Musks's political influence.NBC News - 2d -
I'm either labelled a robot or hysterical - Swiatek
Iga Swiatek is "not proud" of the way she took her frustration out on a ball boy but has criticised the "standards" she faces as "not healthy".BBC News - 1d -
President Trump Just Made a Bold Announcement About Tesla. Is It Brilliant or Insane?
President Trump is endorsing Tesla. Would you want that for your business?Inc. - Mar. 12 -
Has Tesla stock hit bottom? Here’s what the options market is saying.
Signs are appearing that investors could begin to build a long position in Tesla.MarketWatch - 4d -
A website mapped Tesla owners and their personal information amid a wave of attacks
The dogequest website published a partial list of Tesla owners alongside their personal information.NBC News - 2h -
This could be Tesla’s next plan to recoup China market share
Tesla has lost share to Chinese competitors, while Elon Musk’s political activities have led to steep declines in Tesla sales in Europe.MarketWatch - 5d -
Is Elon Musk’s Tesla EV Party Over?
Tesla’s stock defied gravity for years. How long it can keep doing so remains up in the air.Inc. - Mar. 10 -
Tesla Wins California Permit to Begin Offering Rides
The limited regulatory approval is an early step toward Elon Musk’s goal of offering a Tesla self-driving taxi service.The New York Times - 1d -
The Versace Era at Versace Is Ending
A new era for Italy’s most vibrant luxury label.The New York Times - 6d
More from The Hill
-
Clyburn says prediction of ‘Jim Crow 2.0’ coming true
Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) said his previous theory that the Trump administration would enact “Jim Crow 2.0” is coming true. Clyburn joined CNN’s Brianna Keilar on Wednesday, when he was asked if ...The Hill - 55m -
Trump to sign order Thursday dismantling Department of Education
President Trump is expected to sign an order on Thursday to launch the Department of Education's dismantling. A White House official told NewsNation that the anticipated executive order, first ...The Hill - 1h -
Former Houston City Council member launches House bid to succeed late Sylvester Turner
Former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards announced her bid for Congress on Wednesday to fill the seat vacated after the death of Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-Texas), saying the Democratic ...The Hill - 2h -
Crash victims' families ask Transportation Dept not to let Musk influence Tesla probes
Families of several people who were killed or seriously injured in Tesla crashes from its self-driving technology have urged the Department of Transportation (DOT) not to let Elon Musk’s influence ...The Hill - 2h -
Israel returns to deadly force in Gaza
Welcome to The Hill's Defense & NatSec newsletter {beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security The Big Story Israel returns to deadly force in Gaza The Israeli military ...The Hill - 2h
More in Politics
-
Clyburn says prediction of ‘Jim Crow 2.0’ coming true
Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) said his previous theory that the Trump administration would enact “Jim Crow 2.0” is coming true. Clyburn joined CNN’s Brianna Keilar on Wednesday, when he was asked if ...The Hill - 55m -
Trump to sign order Thursday dismantling Department of Education
President Trump is expected to sign an order on Thursday to launch the Department of Education's dismantling. A White House official told NewsNation that the anticipated executive order, first ...The Hill - 1h -
Trump’s new clashes with federal judges
A federal judge gave the Trump administration one more day to respond to questions about recent deportation flights to El Salvador with alleged gang members, but warned of “consequences” if he ...NBC News - 2h -
Former Houston City Council member launches House bid to succeed late Sylvester Turner
Former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards announced her bid for Congress on Wednesday to fill the seat vacated after the death of Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-Texas), saying the Democratic ...The Hill - 2h -
Crash victims' families ask Transportation Dept not to let Musk influence Tesla probes
Families of several people who were killed or seriously injured in Tesla crashes from its self-driving technology have urged the Department of Transportation (DOT) not to let Elon Musk’s influence ...The Hill - 2h