US Attorney General Threatens Severe Penalties Amid Cybertruck Recall

A burned Tesla cybertruck in Seattle. Photo by Lindsey Wasson / AP Photo

US Attorney General Pamela Bondi has issued a stern warning to individuals involved in damaging Tesla vehicles and charging stations, threatening potential 20-year prison sentences for such actions.

This announcement comes amid a series of attacks on Tesla properties and a major recall of the company's Cybertruck model due to safety concerns.

Bondi revealed that three individuals have been charged for using Molotov cocktails to damage Tesla properties in Oregon, Colorado, and South Carolina. The charges carry a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison. In her statement, Bondi emphasized,

"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."

Coinciding with this announcement, Tesla has issued a recall for approximately 46,096 Cybertrucks manufactured between November 13, 2023, and February 27, 2025.

This recall affects nearly all Cybertrucks produced to date and addresses an issue with the cant rail, an exterior trim panel that could potentially detach from the vehicle while driving, posing a significant road hazard.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has classified this as a "dangerous road hazard" that increases the risk of a crash.

This marks the eighth recall for the Cybertruck model since its introduction just over a year ago, highlighting ongoing quality concerns for Tesla's innovative vehicle. The company plans to replace the affected component free of charge and will notify owners by May 19, 2025.

The timing of these events underscores the challenges Tesla faces, balancing innovation with quality control while also contending with apparent politically motivated attacks on its infrastructure.

As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how these issues will impact Tesla's reputation and market position in the competitive electric vehicle industry.