The protests against Elon Musk and his efficiency organization Doge are directed, among other things, at Musk's electric car company Tesla. In both the USA and Canada, there have been reports of vandalism against Tesla dealerships as well as privately owned Tesla vehicles. One person has been arrested in Salem, Oregon, for throwing so-called Molotov cocktails at several Tesla cars, according to several American media outlets.
In another notable case in Charleston, South Carolina, a person is said to have written derogatory words about Trump and started a fire at a charging station for Tesla cars.
These two incidents, as well as another case in Loveland, Colorado, have led Justice Minister Pamela Bondi to speak of "domestic terrorism".
"The time when you can commit this type of crime without consequences is over. Let this be a warning: If you join this wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla, the Justice Department will put you behind bars", she writes, adding that you risk up to 20 years in prison.
Even President Donald Trump has sent out a warning via his social media platform Truth Social.
"People caught committing sabotage against Tesla risk ending up in prison for up to 20 years", Trump writes, among other things.
"We're after you".
