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Attorney General Labels Tesla Attacks “Domestic Terrorism”
A wave of arson and vandalism targeting Tesla properties has prompted Attorney General Pam Bondi to label the attacks as “domestic terrorism.” She has vowed harsh penalties for those responsible.
The latest incident occurred Tuesday morning at a Tesla Collision Center in Las Vegas. Five vehicles were damaged by fire, the building was spray-painted with the word “RESIST,” and three shots were fired at additional Teslas.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren confirmed the targeted nature of the attack. The suspect, described as wearing black clothing, is believed to have used Molotov cocktails and a firearm.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force has joined the investigation.
This attack follows a string of similar incidents across the country. Two Tesla Cybertrucks were set ablaze at a Kansas City dealership Monday night.
The Kansas City Fire Department’s bomb and arson unit assisted in extinguishing the flames. The FBI is also involved in this investigation.
Other recent incidents include more than a dozen shots fired at a Tesla dealership in Tigard, Oregon last week, and the vandalism of three Teslas in Dedham, Massachusetts on March 11.
These attacks come amid ongoing protests at Tesla dealerships nationwide and a sharp decline in the company’s stock value. Some, including Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, attribute the unrest to CEO Elon Musk’s involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Frerichs believes Musk’s government work has become a distraction for the company and damaged the brand.
Musk responded to the escalating situation on social media, questioning the motives behind the attacks and suggesting they stem from his perceived threat to certain ideologies. He has also shared posts labeling the perpetrators as terrorists.
The Justice Department is pursuing charges carrying five-year mandatory minimum sentences in some cases. Attorney General Bondi emphasized the ongoing investigations and commitment to holding those responsible accountable, including those who may be coordinating and financing the attacks.