Democrats Silent As Trump Pushes 20-Year Sentence For Vandals

President Trump calls for 20-year sentences for Tesla vandals as Democrats who previously championed anti-terrorism measures remain conspicuously silent on the recent wave of attacks.

Key Takeaways

Attorney General Pam Bondi has labeled attacks on Tesla properties as “domestic terrorism,” with the Justice Department charging three individuals in arson cases
President Trump has proposed 20-year prison sentences for both vandals and their financial backers, even suggesting offenders serve time in El Salvador
At least 10 Tesla locations have experienced vandalism, including arson and defacement, prompting an FBI task force investigation
Fox News Digital reached out to 13 Democrats who previously supported anti-domestic terrorism legislation, but none responded to Trump’s proposal
While some Republicans call for strong action, Rep. Ro Khanna and Sen. Bernie Sanders are among the few Democrats who have condemned the violence

White House Takes Firm Stance Against Tesla Attacks

The Trump administration has taken a hard-line position against the recent wave of vandalism targeting Tesla properties across the nation. Attorney General Pam Bondi officially classified these attacks as “domestic terrorism” while announcing charges against three individuals involved in Tesla arson cases. The Justice Department has moved quickly to prosecute suspects, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to protecting Tesla’s operations and assets.

President Trump has not minced words regarding his proposed punishment for those responsible, calling for 20-year prison sentences for both the vandals and anyone financing these operations. The FBI has established a dedicated task force to address the ongoing attacks on Tesla showrooms, charging stations, and vehicles, signaling federal authorities’ serious approach to the situation.

Democratic Silence Raises Questions

Despite previously advocating for stronger measures against domestic terrorism during the Biden administration, prominent Democrats have remained notably silent on the Tesla attacks. Fox News Digital reached out to 13 Democratic lawmakers who had previously supported anti-domestic terrorism legislation, but none provided comments on Trump’s proposed penalties for Tesla vandals.

“I look forward to watching the sick terrorist thugs get 20 year jail sentences for what they are doing to Elon Musk and Tesla. Perhaps they could serve them in the prisons of El Salvador, which have become so recently famous for such lovely conditions,” said Donald Trump.

This silence comes despite many Democrats’ previous support for the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2023, introduced by Senator Dick Durbin and colleagues, which focused primarily on white supremacist and neo-Nazi threats. The apparent inconsistency in their approach to different forms of domestic terrorism has drawn criticism from Republican quarters. Meanwhile, Rep. Jasmine Crockett previously suggested Elon Musk should be “taken down,” remarks that Attorney General Bondi warned against as inappropriate coming from a public official.

Recent violence against Tesla dealerships will be labeled domestic terrorism, President Donald Trump said as he selected a new Tesla car to show support for its owner, his ally Elon Musk https://t.co/pJzyGI4z92 pic.twitter.com/5deVD0u6Lq

— Reuters (@Reuters) March 12, 2025

Scope of Tesla Attacks

At least 10 Tesla locations have been vandalized across multiple states, with incidents ranging from arson to defacement. The FBI issued a public service announcement warning of these attacks, and is coordinating with various law enforcement agencies to investigate the incidents. While a website encouraging attacks on Tesla vehicles has been identified, its origin remains unknown, and investigations have not yet established clear connections between the different incidents.

“I can’t walk past the TV without seeing a Tesla on fire,” Elon Musk said.

Although President Trump and Elon Musk have suggested these attacks are coordinated by “people that are very highly political on the left,” the FBI and ATF investigations have not yet found evidence of a centralized coordination. The attacks are currently being handled as individual cases, with the only common link being the Tesla brand itself. Despite this, online sentiment against Musk and Tesla has grown in recent months, with videos of vandalism circulating widely on social media platforms.

Bipartisan Concerns Over Political Violence

A small contingent of Democrats has broken ranks to condemn the violence. Rep. Ro Khanna urged fellow Democrats to speak out against Tesla vandalism, calling it wrong and intolerable. Similarly, Senator Bernie Sanders stated that while people have the right to protest, they do not have the right to engage in violence. These statements stand in contrast to the silence from many of their Democratic colleagues who had previously been vocal about other forms of domestic terrorism.

The Justice Department maintains that the attacks appear to be organized in some fashion, particularly pointing to an anti-Musk website featuring personal information of Tesla owners and associated individuals. Three suspects have already been charged with using Molotov cocktails in attacks on Tesla properties. As investigations continue, questions persist about the appropriate classification of these acts and the proportionality of the proposed 20-year sentences advocated by President Trump.