Trump's attorney general threatens "severe" punishment for Tesla vandals

• Musk's role in the Trump administration has seemingly hurt his EV company, with sales slumping in the first quarter of 2025 and Tesla's post-election stock bump fading sharply.

Catch up quick: While organized protests have been largely peaceful, vandals across the country have damaged or defaced Tesla vehicles in recent weeks.

• Perpetrators have hit showrooms, lots, charging stations and privately owned cars. Gunshots were reported at a Tesla showroom in Oregon, and several vehicles have been set ablaze.
• No injuries have been reported, according to the Associated Press.

Driving the news: Bondi's statement echoes Trump's remarks, who said earlier this month he'd label the attacks on dealerships as domestic terrorism.

• "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 statement read.
• She did not specify what those charges would be, but said the Justice Department has already charged several people, including in cases that "involve charges with five-year mandatory minimum sentences."

Zoom out: Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and other GOP lawmakers called for a "domestic terrorism" investigation into the attacks earlier this month, urging Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel to look into the protests.

• The group of representatives claimed in a letter there had been reports "linking various Democrat-affiliated non-governmental organizations" to the attacks, though they provided no evidence of such connections.

Go deeper: Jolted Republicans beg Elon Musk to ease up with DOGE