Sen. Mark Kelly Refuses to Label Tesla Violence as 'Domestic Terrorism'
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly declined to categorize the recent acts of vandalism and violence against Tesla as ‘domestic terrorism,’ despite calls from some Republicans and the Justice Department to do so.
In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona expressed caution about labeling the violent acts against Tesla dealerships as ‘domestic terrorism.’ These incidents, which have included firebombing cars and vandalizing vehicles, have been linked to protests against Elon Musk’s involvement with Dogecoin (DOGE). While acknowledging the severity of the crimes, Kelly stated, “Certainly vandalism and it’s a crime,” but hesitated to use the term ’terrorism,’ saying, “I think we’ve got to tread lightly on the whole ‘terrorism’ word.
Kelly’s reluctance to use the term ‘domestic terrorism’ comes amidst growing pressure from conservative figures and some within the Justice Department who have used the phrase to describe the attacks. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Elon Musk himself have referred to the incidents as acts of domestic terrorism. The violence has included not only vandalism but also more severe acts such as shooting at buildings and setting cars on fire.
The senator, who recently switched from driving a Tesla to a Chevy Tahoe citing Musk’s actions as a reason, emphasized the need for law enforcement to address these crimes seriously. “Somebody is going to get hurt. And for that reason, we should put, you know, the full force of law enforcement to this problem and prosecute people,” Kelly remarked.
Despite Kelly’s condemnation of the violence, many top Democrats have remained silent on the issue, drawing criticism from conservatives. A resolution introduced by Representative Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., in the House of Representatives directly criticized unnamed Democrats for allegedly inciting the violence against Tesla. The resolution highlighted at least 80 incidents of arson or vandalism against Tesla vehicles and 10 against Tesla facilities across the U.S. and Canada.
As the debate over the appropriate terminology and response to these acts continues, the incidents serve as a flashpoint in the broader discussion about political violence and its classification.