Attorney General Pam Bondi warned Tesla vandals to “watch out” Friday, as the Trump administration seeks to crack down on those targeting Tesla dealerships and cars.
Bondi said she has opened an investigation into the violent demonstrations taking aim at Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company.
“They are targeting Tesla dealerships, the stations where you charge a Tesla, they’re vandalizing cars,” she told Fox Business. “I have already directed an investigation be opened to see how is this being funded, who is behind this, doing this?”
“We have people we’re locking up on that,” she continued. “We have someone in jail right now from one of the dealerships. They threw a Molotov cocktail through a dealership. They’re looking at up to 20 years in prison.”
A Colorado woman was arrested last month for allegedly spray-painting “Nazi” on the sign at a Tesla dealership and igniting Molotov cocktails during multiple visits.
“If you’re going to touch a Tesla, go to a dealership, do anything, you better watch out because we’re coming after you,” Bondi added.
Protesters have targeted Tesla showrooms in recent weeks, and several dealerships, cars and charging stations have been vandalized.
Tesla has become a key target amid frustration with Musk’s prominent and controversial role in the Trump administration, where he has led the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) push to slash government spending, often through massive cuts to the federal workforce and federal funding and grants.
The EV company’s stock has plummeted, falling 15 percent on Monday alone and nearly 30 percent over the past month.
President Trump has attempted to show support for his close ally amid the turmoil, arguing he’s being “treated unfairly.” Trump promised to buy Tesla on Tuesday, testing out several different models parked outside the White House.
He also hinted he would be open to labeling those who carry out violence at Tesla dealerships as “domestic terrorists.”
“I will do that, I’ll do it. I’m going to stop them,” Trump said Tuesday, when a reporter noted that some people think those responsible should be labeled domestic terrorists.
“Those people are going to go through a big problem when we catch them,” he said, adding, “Let me tell you, you do it to Tesla, and you do it to any company, we’re going to catch you and you’re going to go through hell.”
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) also said Wednesday that Congress would investigate the attacks on Tesla vehicles and their owners, touting Musk’s “heroic work” and describing the incidents as “domestic terrorism.”
