Some Republicans are calling on the FBI and the Justice Department to launch an investigation into Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) for inciting violence against Tesla dealerships and owners.
The push for a probe of the outspoken Democrat comes after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi charged three people last week with “domestic terrorism” related to alleged attacks on Tesla dealerships.
The dealerships, as well as charging stations and individual vehicles, have been attacked, presumably as a protest against its CEO, Elon Musk, and his involvement with President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
“I’ve been so proud to see us organize behind a cause because here’s the deal the things that we’re fighting for, we are fighting for our country, we’re fighting for democracy, we’re fighting for our freedoms,” Crockett said during a recent podcast interview, per a clip posted online.
The clip led Republican Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona to lead other members of his Party into calling for an investigation.
“I think the rhetoric is abominable,” Biggs said in an interview with Steve Bannon. “It’s not what we would call political discourse, it’s not civil discourse, and so today I sent a letter, joined by a number of my colleagues, to FBI Director Kash Patel, and I’ve reminded him what USC 18 § 2335 says about domestic terrorism, and that’s what’s happening here. And domestic terrorism includes people who are inciting. And they’re using this domestic terrorism to actually try to intimidate government officials to change policy. That is what you are seeing happening here.”
“And these, these members of Congress, they’re just as culpable, criminally, quite frankly, as, in my opinion, as those that are actually throwing the Molotov cocktails at the Teslas and are doxing people, just simply because they own cars,” he added. “What they are saying is that they want to see these people punished physically and violently, that is contrary to law. That’s domestic terrorism. And I think Pam Bondi and Kash Patel, I think want to get on this, and so we sent that letter to Director Patel and we want to see some action.”
In the letter to Patel, the GOP lawmakers said that the statutory definition of domestic terrorism includes activities that “involve acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State, such as violence or threatening or intimidating,” The Washington Times reported.
The lawmakers said that the attacks are intended to “intimidate or coerce a civilian population or to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion are also acts of domestic terrorism.”
“Of course, these despicable acts are growing in an organized way to intimidate ordinary citizens who simply own a car manufactured by Tesla,” the group said. “Those behind this conspiracy of violence are now trying to dox Tesla owners and are encouraging vandalism and violence.”
Earlier, the Justice Dept. announced charges against three individuals allegedly connected to attacks against “Tesla properties.”
“Today, Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced charges against three individuals responsible for the violent destruction of Tesla properties. All three defendants will face the full force of the law for using Molotov cocktails to set fire to Tesla cars and charging stations,” a DOJ press release said.
“The days of committing crimes without consequence have ended,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said. “Let this be a warning: if you join this wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla properties, the Department of Justice will put you behind bars.”
