Increase in Tesla Demonstrations: Attorney General Bondi Declares Justice Department to Launch Investigation
Rewritten Article:
Share the Heat: Tesla, Musk, and Protests That've Gone Too Far
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Front-Page News:
Attorney General Pam Bondi has swung into action, declaring an investigation into the surge of vandalism targeting Tesla dealerships, as the nation's frustration with company CEO Elon Musk heightens. This announcement comes after President Donald Trump's chilling warning: "Those who dare to damage Tesla will face the wrath of the law and be labeled domestic terrorists."
Chronology of Chaos:
- March 13: A Tesla dealership in Tigard, Oregon, experienced a late-night assault, with more than a dozen bullets smashing through showroom windows and car bodies[1].
- March 12: Protesters from Just Stop Oil, a British environmentalist group, took matters into their own hands, defacing a Tesla Optimus robot with orange latex paint at a London showroom[1].
- March 11: Dedham, Massachusetts, saw three Tesla vehicles bearing the brunt of an overnight vandalism spree, with all four wheels on each car damaged and two more defaced with spray paint[1].
- March 9: A mysterious fire tore through four Tesla Cybertrucks in Seattle[2].
- March 7: A North Charleston, South Carolina parking lot was the scene of a peculiar arson, with a man setting fire to three Tesla charging stations while wearing a shirt that read, "F- Trump, long live Ukraine."
- March 6: Early morning gunfire targeted a Tesla dealership in Tigard, Oregon, causing damage to three cars and shattering the store's windows[1].
- March 3: Seven Tesla charging stations in Littleton, Massachusetts, were brutally torched in a series of fires—intentional acts of sabotage, believed by police[1].
- March 2: Graffiti emblazoned with "No Musk" and a symbol resembling a swastika was discovered at a Tesla dealership in Owings Mills, Maryland[1].
- Feb. 24: Colorado resident Lucy Grace Nelson faced charges for vandalizing a Tesla dealership in Loveland, Colorado, after police found a cache of gasoline, bottles, and wick material in her vehicle[4].
- Feb. 19: Windows at a Salem, Oregon, Tesla dealership were shattered by bullets from an AR-style rifle—the second act of violence connected to the Salem shooter, who faces federal weapons charges[1].
- Feb. 11: Nelson released aspray of graffiti using an obscene message on the front windows of the Loveland Tesla dealership, sparking a confrontation with a security guard[4].
- Feb. 7: Nelson was accused of painting red graffiti on a wall of the Loveland Tesla dealership and attempting arson, with police discovering "multiple broken bottles consistent with incendiary devices"[4].
- Feb. 2: The word "Nazi" was scrawled across the sign of the Loveland Tesla dealership, and Nelson was suspected of being the culprit[4].
- Jan. 29: Nelson allegedly hurled a Molotov cocktail at a Cybertruck on display at the Loveland Tesla dealership, setting it on fire[4].
- Jan. 20: The Salem shooter reportedly unleashed Molotov cocktails on Tesla vehicles, causing a fire that affected one vehicle[1].
Newsflash:
In a fiery interview on Fox Business, Bondi outlined her intention to prosecute anyone caught vandalizing or harassing Tesla dealerships as well as those funding these protests. "If you dare to touch a Tesla or step foot in a showroom, be prepared to face the full force of the law!" declared Bondi, emphasizing the gravity of her intentions[5].
Did Trump Make a Big Promise?
Yes! Amid a White House demonstration featuring five Tesla vehicles, and with Musk in attendance, Trump responded to Brian Glenn, a right-wing journalist, by vowing to classify protesters as domestic terrorists. "You bet I will!," declared Trump, laser-focused on stomping out the growing unrest[5].
Can Tesla Protesters be Classified as Domestic Terrorists?
Although domestic terrorism is not a specific federal charge, a federal criminal code designation exists: acts causing harm to human life, opposing civilian populations or government policy, posing a threat of mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping could be considered domestic terrorism[6]. However, it would take further investigation and legal scrutiny to confirm this classification.
Shocking Update:
Echoes of the conflict have reverberated abroad, with twelve Tesla vehicles being torched in Toulouse, France[6], and a factory near Berlin suffering significant damage from an apparent arson attack by the Volcano Group[6]. This, it seems, is a global struggle.
The Dark Side of Activism:
Some peaceful protests against Tesla dealerships have been linked to "Tesla Takedown," an organization encouraging people to sell their Teslas, dump their stocks, and join the picket lines[7]. Actor Alex Winter is a key figure behind the movement, disputing Trump's characterization of the protests as illegal[7].
Musk's Response:
Facing the heat, Musk has pointed fingers at suspect billionaires like George Soros and Reid Hoffman, providing no concrete evidence to substantiate his accusations[7]. On Twitter, he expressed his gratitude to supporters of Tesla, acknowledging the wave of attacks against the company's stores and offices[7].
The Fall from Grace:
Trump's spectacle involving Tesla vehicles unfolded following a rocky week for the company. A tumble in Tesla's stock price sent shockwaves through investors, erasing Musk's $23 billion fortune in just one day! This drop marked the end of the company's post-Trump election victory gain[8]. Musk's other ventures also took a hit, with X facing an outage—a cyberattack Musk blamed on the Ukraine region[8], and a second SpaceX Starship test flight ending in disaster[8].
A Juggling Act:
Musk has managed to maintain his grip on Tesla, SpaceX, and X, while serving as the Department of Government Efficiency's leader[8]. However, Musk admitted during a Fox Business interview that he's struggling to balance his political and business obligations[8].
- Protesters affiliated with the "Tesla Takedown" organization defaced a Tesla showroom on LinkedIn, garnering attention for their cause.
- Amidst the vandalism incidents, a Tesla dealership in Tigard, Oregon, was also defaced with graffiti reading "No Musk" and a symbol resembling a swastika.
- In response to rising protests against Tesla dealerships, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced an investigation into the incidents, warning that vandalism and harassment would be met with the full force of the law.
