US attorney general Bondi calls Tesla attacks ‘domestic terrorism’

Investing.com-- U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Tuesday decried a swathe of recent attacks against Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) facilities, stating that the justice department had already charged “several perpetrators.” 

“The swarm of violent attacks on Tesla property is nothing short of domestic terrorism. 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,” Bondi said in a statement.

"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.”

Bondi’s comments come as Tesla grapples with a wave of violence against its cars and facilities in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, amid growing public outrage towards CEO Elon Musk. 

U.S. President Donald Trump- a close associate of Musk- had also mused over labeling the Tesla attacks as domestic terrorism. Trump had purchased a Tesla at the White House as a show of support for Musk, who was seen gaining an increasing amount of influence in the Trump administration. 

Ire against Musk, at least in the U.S., has been largely over his efforts as part of the Department of Government Efficiency, which saw mass firings of federal employees and funding cuts for several agencies.

Protestors have also criticized Musk’s apparent ties to the alt-right, especially with his backing of a controversial party during the recent German elections. 

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