RT.com
23 Mar 2025, 01:38 GMT+10
US citizens found guilty of the recent attacks on Elon Musk's company could face up to 20 years in prison, the president has said
US President Donald Trump has suggested that those convicted of the recent spate of attacks against Tesla facilities could be sent to El Salvador's notorious mega prison.
Tesla dealerships and vehicles in the US have been targeted by numerous attacks in what US Attorney General Pam Bondi has labeled "domestic terrorism."
In a message on his social media platform Truth Social on Friday, Trump suggested that people found guilty of the attacks could be sent to El Salvador's penal system.
"I look forward to watching the sick terrorist thugs get 20 year jail sentences for what they are doing to Elon Musk and Tesla," he wrote.
The backlash against Tesla is partly attributable to CEO Elon Musk's role as adviser to Trump. As government efficiency czar, Musk is overseeing significant budget cuts and reductions in the federal workforce.
READ MORE: Anti-DOGE website purports to dox Tesla owners
Since late January, dozens of attacks have targeted Tesla cars, dealerships and charging stations in the US and Canada, sometimes accompanied by anti-Musk graffiti. Multiple cars and charging stations have been set on fire with Molotov cocktails, and several incidents have included gunshots being fired at dealerships.
Three people have been charged for fire-bombing the EVs and charging stations so far, according to a press release on Thursday from the US Department of Justice. All three face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Last month, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele suggested Washington could send its convicts, including US citizens, to serve time in El Salvador's notorious jail system. The comment came as Trump has embarked on a crackdown on illegal immigration and gang violence.
El Salvador's mega-prison, the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), was built to incarcerate suspects detained under a 2022 national emergency measure taken to combat gang violence. The facility has since been criticized for its harsh conditions, including overcrowding and limited access to basic amenities. Human rights organizations have raised concerns about allegedly inhumane treatment of inmates within the prison.
Get a daily dose of South America Times news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to South America Times.
More InformationTORONTO, Canada: An initial investigation into last month's dramatic Delta Air Lines crash-landing in Toronto has revealed that the...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: New York State's highest court has struck down a law this week that would have allowed over 800,000 legal...
The death toll in Gaza on the weekend has passed 50,000, local health authorities have reported. What started the carnage was the Hamas-led...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced plans to invest up to US$100 million in research to develop...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has removed a 2024 advisory from its website that called gun...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Industry leaders are pushing the Trump administration to clear regulatory obstacles slowing the rollout of self-driving...
St John's [Antigua], March 25 (ANI): Experienced all-rounder Deandra Dottin has been ruled out as West Indies announced a strong 15-member...
The announcement comes hours after a bomb squad discovered multiple incendiary devices at a dealership in Austin, Texas The Federal...
(Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images) The Detroit Tigers signed veteran outfielder Manuel Margot to a one-year split contract...
Santiago [Chile], March 25 (ANI): Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font will make a state visit to India from March 30 to April 6, marking...
Washington, DC [US], March 24 (ANI): US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he will be imposing a 'secondary tariff' on...
MEXICO CITY, 24th March, 2025 (WAM) -- Salem Al Owais has presented his credentials as the UAE Ambassador to the United Mexican States,...