Pam Bondi's Sharp Statement on Dem Lawmakers 'Birthday Wish'
Tesla protest in Berkeley California in 2025. Photo by Revel8er under CC0 1.0.
What sounded like a fiery comment during a virtual rally has now triggered federal warnings, political backlash, and accusations of domestic terrorism. A congressional representative and the Attorney General are locked in a war of words, at the center of which sits Elon Musk — the lightning rod billionaire and Tesla® CEO caught in the crosshairs of protest and power.
And that war is escalating. Protests are planned. Charges have already been filed. The FBI is watching. And both sides are pointing fingers — not just at each other, but at what they claim the other really represents.
So, what's happening here? Is this about free speech, public safety, or something else entirely?
A Birthday Comment Heard Around the Beltway
During a live-streamed rally for the Tesla Takedown movement, Representative Jasmine Crockett (D–Texas) proclaimed, "On March 29, it's my birthday, and all I want to see happen on my birthday is for Elon to be taken down. I have learned, as I serve on the DOGE Oversight committee, that there is only one language that the people that are in charge understand right now, and that language is money," according to Newsweek.
Later on, during the same rally, Crockett clarified that she meant a financial takedown; the Tesla Takedown movement urges protesters to boycott Tesla by dumping shares and showing up at dealerships to protest Musk's controversial role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a federal program slashing government spending under President Donald Trump. On March 29, the movement is planning protests at over 500 Tesla locations, as reported by USA TODAY.
But Crockett could not put the genie back in the bottle.
Bondi Fires Back
In a Fox News appearance, Attorney General Pam Bondi strongly responded to Crockett's comments stating, "She is an elected public official, so she needs to tread very carefully because nothing will happen to Elon Musk, and we're going to fight to protect all of the Tesla owners throughout this country," as reported by Politico.
Her comments come as the Department of Justice and the FBI increase efforts to combat a wave of vandalism against Tesla properties, with at least 80 reported cases across the United States and Canada. The DOJ has announced charges against three individuals for violent destruction of Tesla properties. In a press release, Bondi made clear her stance on the issue stating, "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," according to justice.gov.
FBI Director Kash Patel, who is forming a task force focused solely on attacks against Tesla, echoed Bondi's sentiments.
Crockett's Counterpunch
Crockett didn't stay silent for long.
In an MSNBC interview with Alex Witt, Crockett didn't mince words stating, "So just in case the slow people listening decide to clip this up later, I just want to say that I have never promoted violence whatsoever. Yet, I've also never made excuses for those violent actors, such as the ones on January 6," she said in reference to the Capitol Attack of 2021 and Trump's controversial pardons of the rioters involved, as reported by Newsweek.
Crockett continued, "So Pam Bondi, if you have an issue with terrorism, maybe you should talk to your boss about locking back up those guys that he let out that participated in January 6."
Tesla Takedown: Protest or Threat?
At a recent Tesla event, Musk summarized the public feelings about the electric vehicle company saying, "If you read the news, it feels like, you know, Armageddon," as reported by CNBC.
The company certainly faces some new challenges. In addition to protests and vandalism incidents in America, showrooms have been targeted in Europe as well.
Meanwhile, Tesla's stock continues to slide — down 46% since Trump took office. While some analysts still say it could rebound to $800, others warn it could tank to $200, according to MSN.
The Tesla Takedown movement insists it is nonviolent and that it has every right to protest Musk's actions. As reported by Newsweek, its website summarized its aims asserting, "Elon Musk is destroying our democracy, and he's using the fortune he built at Tesla to do it. We are taking action at Tesla to stop Musk's illegal coup."
With protests set and the FBI's task force already making arrests, tensions will likely escalate. Bondi has vowed more charges if needed. Crockett is standing her ground. And Tesla's future now rests on more than quarterly earnings — it's tied to a cultural war being fought on the streets, on the airwaves, and in the halls of power.
References: AG Pam Bondi warns Rep. Jasmine Crockett over calls for Musk to be 'taken down' | Attorney General Pamela Bondi Announces Severe Charges Against Violent Tesla Arsonists | Jasmine Crockett Fires Back at Pam Bondi Over Elon Musk Warning | FBI launches Tesla threats task force: 'This is domestic terrorism' | Tesla investors at a loss as Elon Musk drags down stock price: 'This time it feels different' | Pam Bondi warns Jasmine Crockett to 'tread very carefully' in what she says about Elon Musk
