Attorney General Pam Bondi has called on Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) to issue an apology to Texans and Tesla shareholders following Crockett’s recent remarks about Elon Musk. Bondi’s demand centers on comments made by Crockett during a virtual rally associated with the “Tesla Takedown” movement.Houston Chronicle+4Politico+4The Independent+4
On March 29, during the livestreamed event, which coincided with her birthday, Crockett stated, “All I want to see happen on my birthday is for Elon to be taken down.” She emphasized that her call to action was nonviolent, urging participants to adhere to local laws and engage in peaceful protest. Crockett highlighted the importance of understanding legal boundaries, stating, “Make sure you know what it looks like to protest and to be able to raise your voices and to exercise your constitutional right to free speech.” Houston Chronicle+4The Independent+4MEAWW News+4Breitbart
Despite these clarifications, Bondi interpreted Crockett’s remarks as potentially inciting violence. During an appearance on Fox News’s “Sunday Morning Futures,” Bondi cautioned, “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.” Bondi labeled the recent acts of vandalism against Tesla properties as “domestic terrorism” and indicated that such actions would not be tolerated. The IndependentThe Independent+1Politico+1Politico
In response to Bondi’s statements, Crockett reiterated her commitment to nonviolence. Speaking on MSNBC, she asserted, “I have never promoted violence whatsoever, yet I’ve also never made [an] excuse for those violent actors such as the ones on January 6.” Crockett challenged Bondi’s focus, suggesting that if the Attorney General is concerned about terrorism, she should address the pardoning of individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riots. The Independent+3Breitbart+3Politico+3Breitbart+2The Independent+2The Independent+2
The “Tesla Takedown” movement, which Crockett supports, plans to hold approximately 500 demonstrations at Tesla locations nationwide. The movement opposes Musk’s role in federal bureaucratic restructuring efforts that have led to significant layoffs and budget cuts across various government agencies. These actions have sparked widespread protests and, in some instances, vandalism targeting Tesla properties. MEAWW News+3Politico+3The Independent+3
Bondi’s call for an apology has intensified the debate over the balance between political criticism and perceived incitement. While Crockett maintains that her statements were within the bounds of protected speech and focused on peaceful protest, Bondi and other critics argue that public officials must exercise caution to avoid statements that could be interpreted as endorsing or inciting violence. This controversy highlights the broader tensions surrounding Musk’s involvement in government restructuring and the public’s reaction to these significant policy shifts.
