The U.S. government has filed federal charges against three individuals accused of vandalising properties at Tesla, owned by American billionaire, Elon Musk.
The U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the charges on Thursday, stating that the defendants face a minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison for their alleged crimes.
“These arrests should serve as a warning,” Bondi said. “If you engage in acts of domestic terrorism against Tesla, the Department of Justice will ensure you face serious consequences.”
The suspects were accused of using Molotov cocktails to damage Tesla dealerships in three different states.
One individual allegedly hurled eight Molotov cocktails at a Tesla dealership in Salem, Oregon, while carrying an AR-15 rifle.
Another was accused of attempting to set Tesla vehicles on fire in Loveland, Colorado while the third defendant reportedly wrote negative messages about President Trump on a wall near Tesla charging stations before igniting them with Molotov cocktails.
The attacks come amid widespread protests against Musk’s involvement in federal budget cuts under President Trump’s administration.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned the attacks and criticised Democrats for remaining silent.
“It’s disgraceful that Tesla, its employees, and even everyday Americans who drive Teslas are being targeted,” Leavitt said.
“Many Tesla owners are Democrats, yet ever since Elon Musk supported President Trump, Democratic leaders have refused to speak out against this violence,” she added.
Tesla’s stock has suffered in recent weeks as political tensions surrounding the company escalate.
The White House has openly supported Musk and Tesla amid the challenges. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick encouraged investors to buy Tesla stock, and Trump recently arranged for a fleet of Tesla vehicles to be delivered to the White House in a show of solidarity.
U.S. Gov’t Seeks Jail For Attackers Of Elon Musk’s Properties is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
Source: The Whistler
