Democrat decries FBI task force to crackdown on Tesla attacks: 'Political weaponization of the DOJ'
Rep. Daniel Goldman, D-N.Y., suggested that the FBI's launch of a task force to crackdown on Tesla-related attacks represents "political weaponization" of the U.S. Justice Department.
The FBI's task force was created in conjunction with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) and will coordinate investigative activity.
"The FBI has been investigating the increase in violent activity toward Tesla, and over the last few days, we have taken additional steps to crack down and coordinate our response," FBI Director Kash Patel noted Monday in a post on X. "This is domestic terrorism. Those responsible will be pursued, caught, and brought to justice."
Kash Patel Sharpens Warning Message For Tesla 'Domestic Terrorism' Perpetrators Ahead Of 'Day Of Action'
Tesla vehicles and facilities have been targeted with vandalism, arson, and even gunshots.
But amid the onslaught of crime against the popular electric vehicle manufacturer and its customers, Rep. Goldman is suggesting that the formation of the task force represents a political maneuver.
Read On The Fox News App
Tesla Trouble In Ontario: Dozens Of Vehicles Damaged In One Location
"This is the political weaponization of the DOJ. Trump uses his official authority to defend his benefactor Elon Musk. The FBI then creates a task force to use our law enforcement to 'crack down' on adversaries of Musk's," he tweeted when sharing a Fox News Digital article about the task force launch.
"Where are the Republicans so opposed to 'lawfare'?" he asked.
Tesla co-founder and CEO Elon Musk, who strongly supported now-President Donald Trump last year ahead of the presidential election, is spearheading an effort to expose waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government.
He is widely criticized and vilified by the political left.
Suspected Tesla Arsonists Hit With Federal Charges In Acts Of 'Domestic Terrorism': Ag
"This level of violence is insane and deeply wrong. Tesla just makes electric cars and has done nothing to deserve these evil attacks," Musk tweeted this month when sharing a post that featured footage of vehicles ablaze in Las Vegas.
Fox News Digital's Brooke Singman contributed to this reportOriginal article source: Democrat decries FBI task force to crackdown on Tesla attacks: 'Political weaponization of the DOJ'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
UPI
an hour ago
- UPI
Sen. Rand Paul 'not an absolute no' on budget bill
Sen. Rand Paul, R-KY, speaks during a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on Martin Makary's nomination to be Commissioner of the Food and Drugs Administration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., in March. File photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo June 15 (UPI) -- Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said Sunday that he is "not an absolute no" on the Trump administration's House-passed budget reconciliation bill, which threatens cuts to social services and would increase the national spending deficit. "I talked to the president last evening after the parade, and we're trying to get to a better place in our conversations," Paul said on NBC News' Meet the Press Sunday. "And I've let him know that I'm not an absolute no." Paul has been a leading critic of the bill in its current form, along with a handful of other Republicans skeptical of the scope of the cuts. A report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office report that shows that the measure would come at the expense of lower income Americans to benefit higher earners. "I don't have as much trouble with the tax cuts," Paul continued. "I think there should be more spending cuts, but if they want my vote, they'll have to negotiate," specifically citing his opposition to raising the debt ceiling by trillions of dollars. In its current form, the measure would increase the national deficit by $2.4 trillion over 10 years. Lawmakers are trying to pass the bill through a reconciliation process that only requires a simple majority for passage. Paul said last week that tensions have come to the fore between him and his GOP colleagues, and that he was "uninvited" to a White House picnic that is typically attended by lawmakers and their families. He called the move "petty vindictiveness," and said he felt the White House was trying to "punish" him for his opposition to the bill as it stands. President Donald Trump said on his social media platform that "of course" Paul was invited to the picnic. Republicans can only afford to lose three votes pending a tie breaking vote by Vice President JD Vance. The measure currently awaits action in the Senate, where Republicans hold 53 seats. The body has taken a more conservative approach in the negotiations than the House.
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Donald Trump Jr. backs Inna Vernikov for NYC Council in nasty GOP primary
Brooklyn City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov has landed a potentially key endorsement from a big backer — Donald Trump Jr. — in her nasty Republican primary battle. Donald Jr. praised Vernikov as a MAGA fighter in a new campaign video as she seeks re-election, slamming her opponent, Democrat-turned Republican Ari Kagan, as a 'hack and fake Republican.' Vernikov and Kagan are battling to represent the heavily Jewish 48th council district in southern Brooklyn that covers Gravesend, Coney Island-Sea Gate, Brighton Beach, Midwood, Madison, Sheepshead Bay Manhattan Beach and Gerritsen Beach. Advertisement 3 Donald Trump Jr., son of the US president, speaks during The Bitcoin Conference at The Venetian Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 27, 2025. AFP via Getty Images 'The constituents of Council District 48 are incredibly lucky to have Inna Vernikov — someone who, like our president, is a fighter who never backs down in the fight against the radical left's attempt to destroy New York City. And they tried hard,' President Trump's eldest son said in the ad. 'Inna has fought, fought and fought, and we want to make sure a political establishment hack and fake Republican doesn't succeed in his dangerous attempt to take away one of the strongest fighters we have in New York City,' Donald Jr. said. 'Let's keep the MAGA movement strong and together, only vote Inna. Get out there, and make it happen, guys.' Advertisement There is little question President Trump is a fan of Vernikov himself. The councilwoman met the president in 2022 and later released a photo of the pair standing together, smiling, with Trump flashing a thumb's up. Kagan, a former councilman, switched his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican in 2022, saying his party had swung too far to the left. He lost his seat in a race against Democratic Councilman Justin Brannan in the neighboring 47th District in 2023 after a redistricting. Vernikov, 40, describes herself as a 'Ukrainian-born American Jew.' Advertisement 3 Ukrainian-born City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov met with President Donald Trump in 2022. Twitter/@InnaVernikov She was first elected in 2021, defeating the Democratic candidate, Steven Saperstein, in a landslide. On the council, she has accused CUNY and other college officials of failing to crack down on rising antisemitism on their campuses and slammed Russian aggression in Ukraine. She stirred controversy when she was caught on camera with a firearm in her waistband while observing an anti-Israel rally at Brooklyn College in 2023. A gun charge against her was dismissed after prosecutors said they couldn't cannot prove that the weapon was 'capable of firing bullets.' Advertisement Keep up with today's most important news Stay up on the very latest with Evening Update. Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters When the NYPD recovered the gun, it was both unloaded and 'inoperable,' missing the 'recoil spring assembly' that would have allowed it to fire bullets, the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office said at the time. Vernikov had a concealed carry permit, but it is illegal in New York to carry a firearm at sensitive locations such as protests or on school grounds. The 5'3″ conservative firebrand has taken self-defense classes in the skills of Krav Maga — a martial art developed for the Israel Defense Force that combines judo, karate, boxing, wrestling and aikido. 3 Donald Trump Jr. endorsed Councilwoman Inna Vernikov for a contentious city council primary. Paul Martinka Considered a rising star in the Republican Party, Vernikov was a keynote speaker at the 2022 state GOP convention. Kagan, 58, was born in Minsk, Belarus, and immigrated to New York City after the collapse of the Soviet Union. He has worked as a Russian language journalist, television and radio host. Advertisement Kagan dismissed the Donald Trump Jr. endorsement. 'I don't think he knows the details of local Republican politics. Inna has been an absentee council person,' Kagan said.
Politico
an hour ago
- Politico
Trump should immediately push Russia sanctions, Sen. Blumenthal says
Sen. Richard Blumenthal on Sunday urged President Donald Trump to immediately push for legislation that would ratchet up sanctions against Russia. 'This moment cries out for presidential leadership. There is an urgency here,' the Connecticut Democrat said on CBS' 'Face the Nation.' Speaking in a joint interview with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Blumenthal urged Trump to move quickly: 'I think the president should call on the Senate to vote approval of the Russian sanctions bill literally tomorrow. He's on his way tonight to the G7 meeting. He will be sitting across from world leaders. Right now, very bluntly, the perception may be one of weakness in terms of America's position on Ukraine. He can be there in a position of strength.' A G7 meeting is getting under way in Kananaskis in Alberta, Canada. Graham on Thursday made his case for the sanctions in an op-ed for Fox News. 'We now have over 84 Senate cosponsors and 70 House cosponsors of legislation to enact hard-hitting sanctions and tariffs on Russia and its financial backers,' he wrote. 'It is clear to me and virtually every sponsor of the Russia sanctions bill that the way we deal with Putin will either encourage or deter bad actors.' On Sunday, Graham and Blumenthal also discussed the Israel-Iran war. Both are eager to see any possibility of Iran developing nuclear weapons eliminated. 'I would urge President Trump to go all in to make sure that when this operation is over, there's nothing left standing in Iran regarding their nuclear program. If that means providing bombs, provide bombs,' Graham told host Margaret Brennan. Blumenthal added: 'A nuclear-armed Iran is a unacceptable threat to the world, not just to Israel, but to the United States as well. And I support Israel's right to defend itself against this existential menace. I'm very concerned right now about United States personnel in the region, our servicemen and women, but also the civilians that are there.' The Connecticut Democrat also said the country 'ought to strengthen sanctions against Iran.' Graham seconded that idea. 'I'll be your wingman. We'll write the bill right here on television. China, if you're listening, stop buying Russian oil, and stop helping the Iranians. You make the world a safer place if you would stop,' he told Brennan.
