Attorney General Pam Bondi Accuses THREE Tesla Vandals ‘Domestic Terrorists’

Washington, D.C. – March 20, 2025 – Attorney General Pam Bondi has accused three individuals involved in recent attacks on Tesla property of engaging in what she terms “domestic terrorism.” Bondi’s statements, paired with promises of severe consequences, signal a robust federal response to a wave of vandalism that has swept Tesla dealerships, charging stations, and vehicles nationwide.

The trio at the center of Bondi’s accusations has not been publicly named, but sources familiar with the investigation suggest they are linked to high-profile incidents in Colorado, Oregon, and Massachusetts. These attacks, ranging from arson to gunfire, have fueled a national debate over the limits of protest and the definition of terrorism in the United States. Bondi’s remarks, delivered in a statement on Tuesday evening, March 18, come as the Department of Justice ramps up its efforts to identify and prosecute those responsible for what she describes as a “swarm of violent attacks” on Tesla property.

“The swarm of violent attacks on Tesla property is nothing short of domestic terrorism,” Bondi declared in her statement. “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.” While Bondi did not specify the identities of the three individuals or the exact charges they face, she hinted at the gravity of the situation, noting that some of those already charged could face mandatory minimum sentences of five years in prison. In a separate interview with Fox Business last week, she raised the stakes further, revealing that one suspect, accused of hurling a Molotov cocktail through a Tesla dealership window, could face up to 20 years behind bars.

The backdrop to Bondi’s accusations is a surge in anti-Tesla sentiment tied to Elon Musk’s prominent position within the Trump administration. As the head of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk has spearheaded aggressive efforts to slash federal spending and workforce numbers, drawing ire from critics who view his policies as disruptive and authoritarian. Tesla, as Musk’s flagship company, has become a lightning rod for these frustrations, with protesters targeting its infrastructure in what some have dubbed the “Tesla Takedown” movement. The attacks have ranged from relatively minor acts of vandalism—such as spray-painting expletives on Cybertrucks—to more dangerous incidents, including arson and shootings.

One of the most notable cases linked to Bondi’s accusations occurred in Loveland, Colorado, where a woman was arrested in February for allegedly targeting a Tesla dealership over multiple visits. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the suspect spray-painted “Nazi” on the dealership’s sign, threw Molotov cocktails at a Cybertruck on display, and attempted to ignite a fire. Federal authorities charged her with malicious destruction of property, a crime carrying a potential five-year sentence. Local media reported that the dealership had been hit three times in 2025 alone, suggesting a pattern of coordinated aggression.

In Oregon, a Tesla showroom in Tigard was struck by gunfire last week, with more than a dozen shots damaging vehicles and shattering windows. Meanwhile, in Kansas City, Missouri, two Cybertrucks were set ablaze at a dealership, prompting a joint investigation by the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. These incidents, among others, have fueled Bondi’s narrative of a concerted campaign against Tesla, one she frames as politically motivated and deserving of the “domestic terrorism” label.

The term “domestic terrorism” carries significant weight, though it lacks a standalone federal statute. Under current U.S. law, acts classified as domestic terrorism are prosecuted under other crimes, such as arson, weapons violations, or property destruction. Bondi’s use of the phrase aligns with a broader push by the Trump administration and its allies to cast the Tesla attacks as a national security threat rather than mere vandalism. President Donald Trump himself has embraced this framing, declaring last week on the White House lawn that he would consider labeling perpetrators “domestic terrorists.” Standing beside Musk and a lineup of Tesla vehicles, Trump vowed, “I’m going to stop them … because they’re harming a great American company.”

Congressional Republicans, including Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, have echoed this sentiment, pressuring Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel to investigate the attacks as terrorism. In a letter sent earlier this month, Greene and other lawmakers claimed—without evidence—that “Democrat-affiliated non-governmental organizations” might be involved, alongside groups like Antifa. The letter reflects a partisan divide, with GOP figures leveraging the Tesla incidents to criticize the left, even as Democrats have largely remained silent on the issue.

Critics, however, question the appropriateness of the “domestic terrorism” label. Legal experts note that while the attacks are undeniably destructive, they do not clearly meet the federal definition of terrorism, which requires intent to intimidate or coerce a civilian population or influence government policy through violence. “This is vandalism, serious vandalism in some cases, but calling it terrorism stretches the term beyond its legal meaning,” said Francesca Laguardia, a law professor at Northwestern University, in an interview. She pointed to the absence of a federal domestic terrorism statute as a complicating factor, suggesting that Bondi’s rhetoric may be more political than prosecutorial.

For Tesla, the stakes are high. The company’s stock has plummeted nearly 50% since December, a decline exacerbated by the negative publicity surrounding the attacks and Musk’s polarizing political role. In a bid to bolster the brand, Trump tested Tesla models on the White House lawn last week, promising to purchase one as a show of support. Yet the violence persists, with a recent incident in Las Vegas—where five vehicles were torched at a Tesla Collision Center—underscoring the challenge Musk faces in reclaiming the narrative.

Bondi’s accusations also raise questions about the broader implications of her tenure as Attorney General. A staunch Trump ally and former Florida Attorney General, she has embraced a hardline approach since taking office, aligning herself with the administration’s law-and-order agenda. Her focus on the Tesla attacks, coupled with her promise to pursue not only the vandals but also those “funding” them, suggests a willingness to expand the scope of federal investigations. Musk, for his part, has pointed fingers at left-wing billionaires like George Soros and Reid Hoffman, though he has offered no evidence to substantiate these claims.

As the Justice Department moves forward, the identities of the three accused “domestic terrorists” remain under wraps, pending further developments in the investigations. Bondi’s office has declined to comment beyond her initial statements, leaving observers to speculate about the evidence linking these individuals to a coordinated campaign. Meanwhile, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force has joined local efforts in Las Vegas, though officials caution that it’s “too early” to definitively classify the incident as terrorism.

17GEN4.com