Republicans Call For FBI Probe Into Jasmine Crockett For ‘Inciting’ Tesla Violence
Some Republicans are urging the FBI and the Justice Department to investigate Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) over allegations that she incited violence targeting Tesla dealerships and owners.
This call for an investigation follows charges brought last week by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi against three individuals accused of engaging in “domestic terrorism” connected to attacks on Tesla properties.
Tesla dealerships, charging stations, and individual vehicles have reportedly been damaged, allegedly as a form of protest against the company’s CEO, Elon Musk, due to his perceived ties with President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
During a recent podcast interview, Crockett expressed her pride in the activism surrounding this issue. “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,” she said in a clip shared online.
The video sparked backlash from Republican Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona, who, along with other GOP members, demanded an official probe.
“I think the rhetoric is abominable,” Biggs stated 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.”
Biggs continued by claiming that members of Congress who engage in such rhetoric are “just as culpable, criminally, quite frankly, 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.”
The GOP lawmakers’ letter to Patel cited the legal definition of domestic terrorism, emphasizing that it includes actions involving “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,” as reported by The Washington Times.
The letter also argued that the attacks aimed at Tesla owners represent attempts to “intimidate or coerce a civilian population or to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion,” which, the lawmakers claimed, qualifies as 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 wrote. “Those behind this conspiracy of violence are now trying to dox Tesla owners and are encouraging vandalism and violence.”
This controversy comes after the Justice Department announced charges against three individuals allegedly involved in attacks targeting 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 stated.
Attorney General Bondi issued a stern warning: “The days of committing crimes without consequence have ended. 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.”