U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi labeled recent anti-Tesla vandalism “nothing short of domestic terrorism” on March 18, a day after several of the carmaker’s vehicles were spray-painted with swastikas at an Encinitas dealership and following similar incidents elsewhere.
“The swarm of violent attacks on Tesla property is nothing short of domestic terrorism,” Bondi said in a statement Tuesday.
The DOJ and FBI are already investigating incidents elsewhere in the country, including one on March 19 in which Tesla vehicles were damaged at a Las Vegas repair facility. The vandalism at the Encinitas dealership has not been mentioned specifically by the agencies, although the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office is investigating.
“The Department of Justice has already charged several perpetrators … including in cases that involve charges with five-year mandatory minimum sentences,” Bondi said in her 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.”
In the Encinitas incident, several Tesla vehicles were found marked with swastikas at the carmaker’s dealership early March 17. North Coastal Sheriff’s Station deputies who were on patrol in the area noticed the vandalism at about 5 a.m., according to a San Diego County Sheriff’s Office report.
Authorities are investigating the vandalism but have not identified suspects or made arrests, the report stated.
“Multiple cars were found with swastikas spray-painted on them,” a Sheriff’s Office report stated. “In addition, several windows of the dealership building had also been spray-painted with swastikas and profanity.”
Investigators ask anyone with possible information about the Encinitas incident to call 858-868-3200.
