Democratic lawmakers who previously championed anti-terrorism legislation remain conspicuously silent as President Trump calls for severe penalties against those responsible for a wave of Tesla property attacks that the Justice Department has classified as domestic terrorism.
Key Takeaways
- President Trump has proposed 20-year prison sentences for Tesla vandals and their financial backers, but Democratic lawmakers who previously supported anti-terrorism legislation have not publicly responded.
- Attorney General Pam Bondi has classified recent Tesla facility attacks as “domestic terrorism,” with the Justice Department charging three individuals in arson cases.
- At least 10 Tesla locations have been vandalized with incidents including arson and property defacement, prompting an FBI task force investigation.
- While some Democrats like Rep. Ro Khanna and Sen. Bernie Sanders have condemned violence against Tesla, most prominent Democratic lawmakers remain silent on Trump’s specific proposals.
Democrats Silent on Trump’s Tesla Protection Proposal
Fox News Digital reached out to 13 Democratic lawmakers who previously supported anti-domestic terrorism legislation during the Biden administration, but none responded to inquiries about President Trump’s proposal for harsh penalties against Tesla vandals. The silence comes as Trump suggested 20-year prison sentences for individuals vandalizing Tesla properties and those financing such operations, highlighting what appears to be a partisan divide in responding to these specific acts of property destruction.
The FBI has launched a dedicated task force to address ongoing attacks on Tesla showrooms, charging stations, and vehicles across at least nine states. These incidents have included arson, property damage, and other forms of vandalism targeting the electric vehicle manufacturer. Attorney General Pam Bondi has taken a firm stance, labeling these coordinated attacks as “domestic terrorism” and announcing charges against three individuals involved in Tesla arson cases.
Justice Department Takes Action
The Justice Department has moved decisively in response to the Tesla attacks, with Bondi asserting that these incidents represent a coordinated campaign against the company. Three individuals have been charged with using Molotov cocktails in attacks on Tesla properties. According to law enforcement, an anti-Musk website has been identified that features personal information of Tesla owners and associated individuals, though the FBI has not confirmed connections between the arson incidents and specific online groups.
“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.
Investigations into the incidents are ongoing, with the FBI coordinating with various law enforcement agencies. While the Justice Department believes the attacks are organized, some experts have questioned whether all incidents are connected. In response to the attacks, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has expressed frustration, noting the frequency of the incidents in media coverage.
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
Legislative History Highlights Political Divide
The current situation presents a stark contrast to previous Democratic positions on domestic terrorism. In 2023, Senator Dick Durbin and other Democrats introduced the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act, which focused primarily on threats from white supremacists and neo-Nazi groups. Their current silence on Tesla-related violence has raised questions about consistency in addressing various forms of domestic terrorism incidents, regardless of the targets or perpetrators involved.
“I can’t walk past the TV without seeing a Tesla on fire,”Elon Musk said.
Not all Democrats have remained silent on the issue. Representative Ro Khanna has urged fellow Democrats to condemn Tesla vandalism, calling such actions wrong and intolerable. Similarly, Senator Bernie Sanders stated that while people have the right to protest, they do not have the right to engage in violence. However, these voices represent the exception rather than the rule among prominent Democratic lawmakers who have yet to respond to President Trump’s specific proposals for punishing Tesla vandals.
Concerns About Classification and Response
Some legal experts have expressed concerns about labeling Tesla vandalism as terrorism and the implications of such classifications. While property destruction and arson are serious crimes deserving of appropriate punishment, questions remain about the proportionality of the proposed 20-year sentences and suggestions of extrajudicial rendition to other countries. These proposals have generated debate among legal scholars about the boundaries of domestic terrorism definitions and appropriate responses to politically motivated property crimes.
The FBI has issued a public service announcement warning about attacks on Tesla vehicles and dealerships, indicating the seriousness with which federal authorities are treating these incidents. As investigations continue, the political response to these attacks and President Trump’s proposed penalties remains divided along partisan lines, with most Democratic lawmakers who previously championed anti-terrorism measures maintaining their silence on this specific issue.
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
