Tesla Vandalism Sparks Domestic Terrorism Debate; Democrats’ Silence Draws Scrutiny
A wave of vandalism targeting Tesla vehicles and showrooms across the United States has ignited a heated debate over whether such acts constitute domestic terrorism. Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has unequivocally labeled the attacks as "domestic terrorism," prompting questions about the response from Democrats, who have historically championed efforts to combat this very threat.
Fox News Digital reached out to 13 Democratic lawmakers who have previously sponsored legislation aimed at countering domestic terrorism, seeking their opinion on Bondi’s classification of the Tesla attacks. However, none of the lawmakers responded to the inquiry, fueling criticism and raising questions about the Democrats’ stance on this issue.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Joint Terrorism Task Force is currently investigating the escalating attacks, which have occurred in at least seven locations, stretching from Oregon to Massachusetts. Initially, the vandalism began as protests against Tesla CEO Elon Musk and his company’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). However, the demonstrations have since evolved into violent incidents, including shots fired at buildings, shattered dealership windows, and charging stations deliberately set ablaze.
The Biden administration, recognizing the growing threat, launched the first-ever National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism in 2021. This strategy identified domestic terrorism as a major national security concern, particularly in the wake of the January 6th Capitol attacks. During the Biden administration, Congressional Democrats actively pursued legislative measures to combat domestic terrorism.
Senator Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, and 10 other Senate Democrats introduced the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2023. This proposed legislation aimed to enhance the government’s capacity to prevent domestic terrorism. Similarly, the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2022 focused on combating domestic terrorism, with a specific emphasis on addressing white supremacist and neo-Nazi infiltration.
Despite their past activism against domestic terrorism, Democrats have remained conspicuously silent regarding the ongoing Tesla attacks. One exception is Representative Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, who urged his colleagues to condemn the vandalism in a recent post on social media platform X.
"There is zero tolerance for acts of vandalism against Tesla," Khanna wrote. "Spraying the words ‘nazi cars’ or lighting fire to dealership and chargers is wrong. Period. All Democrats should condemn it."
While Democrats have been vocal in their opposition to domestic terrorism in the past, their current reluctance to address the Tesla vandalism has drawn criticism.
In 2023, Senator Durbin, while urging support for the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act, stated, "As I have said on many occasions, I condemn all violence, regardless of ideology. We have to act decisively to address the poison of white supremacy and domestic terrorism in America. It’s a poison, it’s a cancer, it’s destroying our society. It shouldn’t be a partisan issue. It’s not a Democratic issue or Republican issue, dealing with the crisis of violent white supremacy. It is an American issue."
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a Democrat from New York, echoed this sentiment in 2022, emphasizing that combating violent white supremacy is an American issue, not a partisan one.
Representative Maxine Waters, a Democrat from California, along with former Senator Sherrod Brown and former Representative Josh Gottheimer, expressed deep concern in 2022 about the financing of domestic violent extremist activities in the U.S., calling for a review of how domestic extremists are funded. However, Waters has yet to call for an investigation into the funding of the Tesla protests, despite allegations from conservatives that liberal activist groups are backing the destructive acts.
Elon Musk himself has pointed fingers at prominent figures like George Soros, a left-wing billionaire, and Reid Hoffman, a billionaire Democratic mega-donor and LinkedIn co-founder, accusing them of bankrolling the "protests."
Senator Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, stated in 2021 that domestic terrorism is one of the gravest threats to America. He emphasized the need for laws to catch up when violence fueled by homegrown, hateful ideology poses a more immediate threat to the safety and security of Americans on American soil than an international terrorist organization.
Representative Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat from Washington, condemned all political violence following an assassination attempt on President Donald Trump, noting that she herself had been a victim of political violence.
Following a New Year’s Day terrorist attack in New Orleans, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, called for increased efforts to combat terrorism both at home and abroad. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat from New York, demanded accountability in 2022 for those who perpetuate White supremacy, which she considers a form of domestic terrorism.
Late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel appeared to mock the Tesla vandalism during his show, prompting criticism from conservatives and a sharp response from Elon Musk.
Bondi has stated that the Department of Justice is treating the Tesla attacks as "nothing short of domestic terrorism" and has already filed several charges, including cases with mandatory minimum sentences.
"The swarm of violent attacks on Tesla property is nothing short of domestic terrorism," Bondi said in a statement. "The Department of Justice has already charged several perpetrators with that in mind, including in cases that involve charges with five-year mandatory minimum sentences. 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 no serious injuries have been reported, anti-Musk cyberattackers have posted an interactive map containing the names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of Tesla owners. Bondi has stated that the Justice Department believes the attacks are part of an organized effort.
Bondi emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, "We are coming after you. We believe these are organizers, and these are not individuals out there throughout the country doing this on their own. They’re targeting Tesla owners. They’re targeting Tesla dealerships. They’re targeting Elon Musk, who is out there trying to save our country. And it will not be tolerated. We are coming after you. We will find you. And if you are an organized group who is funding this, we’re going to find you, too. You better look out, and you better stop it."
Videos circulating on social media show individuals spitting on, keying, or setting ablaze Tesla vehicles across the country. Tesla has revealed that its vehicles are equipped with at least seven cameras that capture the crime.
One victim, Avi Ben Hamo, a Jewish man from New York, has called for hate crime charges against a man who drew a Nazi symbol on his Cybertruck.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has denounced the "heinous violence" against Tesla and called on Democrats to condemn the attacks. She highlighted the Democrats’ previous support for Tesla and electric vehicles before Elon Musk’s shift in political allegiance, urging them to condemn the violence.
Bondi announced that three individuals have been charged in federal cases after using Molotov cocktails to violently attack Tesla properties in acts of "domestic terrorism."
"The days of committing crimes without consequence have ended," Bondi said. "Let this be a warning: if you join this wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla properties, the Department of Justice will put you behind bars."
The silence from many Democrats, coupled with the escalating violence and the Justice Department’s classification of the attacks as domestic terrorism, has created a complex and politically charged situation. The coming days and weeks will likely reveal whether more Democrats will break their silence and address the issue, and whether the investigation will uncover the extent of any organized efforts behind the attacks.
