Update (March 20, 2025): Three people have been charged in connection with the wave of attacks on Tesla vehicles, Bondi announced Thursday. In a statement, Bondi said the suspects—who were across three states—are facing federal charges, including conspiracy and destruction of property. She doubled down on her stance that the attacks constitute “domestic terrorism” and vowed to pursue maximum penalties.
“The days of committing crimes without consequence have ended. Let this be a warning: if you join this wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla properties, the Department of Justice will put you behind bars.” The press release on Department of Justice’s website are as follows:
One defendant, also armed with a suppressed AR-15 rifle, was arrested after throwing approximately eight Molotov cocktails at a Tesla dealership located in Salem, Oregon.
Another was arrested in Loveland, Colorado after attempting to light Teslas on fire with Molotov cocktails. The defendant was later found in possession of materials used to produce additional incendiary weapons.
In Charleston, South Carolina, a third defendant wrote profane messages against President Trump around Tesla charging stations before lighting the charging stations on fire with Molotov cocktails.
Each defendant faces serious charges carrying a minimum penalty of five years and up to 20 years in prison.
The arrests come as Elon Musk continues to blame Democrats for the vandalism, a claim that has drawn backlash as social media users dismiss his accusations.
Original Article: Though she has defended Jan. 6 insurrectionists as patriots, Attorney General Pam Bondi on Tuesday declared anyone who’s participated in the recent attacks on Tesla vehicles, manufactured by Elon Musk, is guilty of domestic terrorism.
Bondi’s pronouncement comes after Musk told Sean Hannity his life is in danger due to his role heading up President Trump‘s Department of Government Efficiency.
Musk said, “when you take away people’s … fraud, the money they’re receiving fraudulently, they get very upset, and they basically want to kill me because I’m stopping their fraud.”
“And they want to hurt Tesla because we’re stopping this terrible waste and corruption in the government,” he added. “And, well, I guess they’re bad people. Bad people do bad things.”
Musk’s response to the attacks on his brand shouldn’t come as a surprise.
But the recent attacks at Tesla dealerships around the globe can’t be dismissed, as the company’s charging stations, car lots and showrooms have been targeted with arson and graffiti in the U.S. and around the world.
The latest incident came Tuesday morning, when five Teslas were damaged after a fire was started at a Tesla Collision Center in Las Vegas.
“This was a targeted attack against a Tesla facility,” said Dori Koren, assistant sheriff for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Officials said the word “RESIST” was spray-painted across the doors of the facility and three rounds of shots were fired at additional Teslas. The suspect approached the business wearing black clothing and police believe he used Molotov cocktails and a firearm to conduct his attack.
One night earlier, two Tesla Cybertrucks caught fire at a dealership in Kansas City, according to police there.
But Bondi’s proclamation begs the question: Do attacks on property qualify as terroristic acts?
“Teslas are cars,” wrote one Instagram user. “They do not run and scream in pain when attacked. They are not people. It’s vandalism, not terrorism.”
Bondi was unequivocal in her remarks, and the FBI has already been dispatched to aid local jurisdictions in their investigations of the Tesla incidents.
“The swarm of violent attacks on Tesla property is nothing short of domestic terrorism,” Bondi said in a statement. “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.”
The attorney general added that they will continue investigations that impose “severe consequences” on those involved in the attacks.”
Without providing evidence, Bondi implied that the attacks may part of a coordinated conspiracy, stating authorities are also investigating “those operating behind the scenes to coordinate and fund these crimes.”
The Starlink CEO also alluded to a conspiracy in his interview with Hannity.
“And I think there are larger forces at work as well. I mean, I don’t know. Who’s funding it and who’s coordinating it?” he asked. “Because this is crazy … I have never seen anything like this.”
Musk went on to directly blame at the Democrats.
“It’s really come as quite a shock to me that there is this level of, really, hatred and violence from the left,” he said. “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 wasn’t finding much sympathy on social media.
“You said empathy was the problem word, now you want some empathy?” wrote one Instagram user.
Asked Wednesday whether the attacks were being investigated as part of possible conspiracy, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt demurred, calling the incidents “despicable” while adding, “we condemn it wholeheartedly.”
Another added, “This guy talking about empathy is pretty laughable when he’s been on record calling it Western Civilization’s greatest weakness 😂”
