President Trump calls for severe punishment of Tesla vandals as Democratic lawmakers remain conspicuously silent despite their past condemnations of domestic terrorism.
Key Insights
- Attorney General Pam Bondi has classified recent attacks on Tesla properties as “domestic terrorism,” with charges already filed against three individuals involved in arson cases.
- President Donald Trump has proposed 20-year prison sentences for vandals and their financial backers, even suggesting they serve their time in El Salvador’s notorious prisons.
- Despite previously championing anti-domestic terrorism legislation, 13 Democratic lawmakers contacted by Fox News Digital have not responded to requests for comment on the Tesla attacks.
- While at least 10 Tesla locations have been vandalized across multiple states, the FBI has not found evidence of a coordinated attack campaign, despite claims from Musk and Trump.
Tesla Under Attack
In a concerning development across the nation, at least 10 Tesla locations have been vandalized in recent weeks, with incidents including arson and property defacement. The attacks have prompted a swift response from the Trump administration, with Attorney General Pam Bondi classifying the incidents as domestic terrorism. The Justice Department has already charged three individuals for using Molotov cocktails in separate attacks on Tesla properties, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to addressing what it views as politically motivated violence.
The FBI has established a special task force to investigate the ongoing attacks on Tesla showrooms, charging stations, and vehicles. While law enforcement agencies are treating the cases seriously, they have not yet found evidence linking the incidents to a coordinated campaign. Individual cases are being handled separately, with federal authorities working alongside local police departments to identify and apprehend those responsible for the destruction of property.
Trump’s Strong Response
President Donald Trump has taken a firm stance against the vandalism, proposing severe penalties for those involved. The president suggested 20-year prison sentences not only for the individuals carrying out the attacks but also for anyone financially supporting such activities. Trump’s proposal represents one of the administration’s most aggressive responses to what it perceives as politically motivated violence against American businesses.
“I look forward to watching the sick terrorist thugs get 20 year jail sentences for what they are doing to Elon Musk and Tesla. Perhaps they could serve them in the prisons of El Salvador, which have become so recently famous for such lovely conditions,” said Donald Trump.
Trump has attributed the attacks to “people that are very highly political on the left,” suggesting they are targeting Tesla CEO Elon Musk for his political stances and support of the Trump administration. In a show of solidarity with Musk, Trump recently announced his intention to purchase a Tesla vehicle, emphasizing his support for American manufacturing and innovation in the face of what he characterizes as politically motivated violence.
Recent violence against Tesla dealerships will be labeled domestic terrorism, President Donald Trump said as he selected a new Tesla car to show support for its owner, his ally Elon Musk https://t.co/pJzyGI4z92 pic.twitter.com/5deVD0u6Lq
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 12, 2025
Democratic Silence Raises Questions
Despite previously championing anti-domestic terrorism legislation during the Biden administration, prominent Democratic lawmakers have remained notably silent on the Tesla attacks. Fox News Digital reached out to 13 Democrats who had supported domestic terrorism prevention measures in the past, including Senator Dick Durbin who introduced the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act in 2023, but none responded with comments on Trump’s proposal or the attacks themselves.
This silence stands in contrast to Rep. Ro Khanna, who has urged fellow Democrats to condemn the Tesla vandalism, calling it wrong and intolerable. Similarly, Senator Bernie Sanders acknowledged that while people have the right to protest, they do not have the right to engage in violence. These voices remain exceptions, however, as most Democratic lawmakers who previously spoke strongly against domestic terrorism have not addressed the Tesla situation.
Investigating the Scale and Nature of Threats
The FBI issued a public service announcement warning about attacks on Tesla vehicles and dealerships, indicating the seriousness with which federal authorities are treating the situation. While an anti-Musk website featuring personal information of Tesla owners has been identified, its origin remains unknown. The site, along with social media groups expressing hostility toward Musk and Tesla, has raised concerns about potential incitement to violence.
“I can’t walk past the TV without seeing a Tesla on fire,” Elon Musk said.
While the Justice Department believes the attacks show signs of organization, the FBI has yet to confirm connections between the various arson incidents and online groups. Law enforcement experts note that while the attacks target Tesla specifically, they haven’t found evidence of a central organizing force behind the vandalism. The investigation continues as authorities work to determine whether these acts constitute random vandalism or a more systematic campaign of domestic terrorism as claimed by the administration.
Sources:
- Trump says violence against Tesla is domestic terrorism | Reuters
- No evidence of coordinated vandalism of Teslas despite Musk and Trump claims
- Dems who railed against domestic terrorism silent as Trump floats 20-year jail sentence for Tesla vandals
