A.G. Gancarski
Electric car dealerships may be the most well-fortified places in Florida this weekend.
That’s the assurance brought by Attorney General James Uthmeier, who warns that people traipsing to Tesla vendors to vent about Elon Musk will be met with reminders of state force.
“Today’s the day that these crazies say they’re going to go to dealerships and destroy Teslas protesting what Elon’s doing up in D.C. Again, I don’t know why we want to protest somebody that’s finding ways to save the American people hundreds of millions or billions in taxpayer dollars, but alas, there are people out there that want to cause damage,” Uthmeier said from West Palm Beach.
But he wasn’t done.
“Our troopers are here working around the clock patrolling these dealerships. And if you wanna come here, you’re going to face the full force of law. It’s not just about Teslas. It’s about protecting our state businesses. Today, it’s Tesla, tomorrow, it might be Chick-Fil-A or some other company. If you want to protest and cause damage, I don’t care what business it is. We’ve got your back, we’re going to protect you and we’re going to ensure rule of law in the state of Florida.”
Uthmeier has been consistent on this messaging for days.
“At my direction, the Florida Highway Patrol and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will monitor the planned ‘TeslaTakedown’ events across Florida,” Uthmeier posted to social media Friday. “Florida has zero tolerance for crimes against people or property. If these protests turn violent, we will do what’s necessary to restore order and hold offenders accountable.”
These protests have become a global phenomenon, as the left mobilizes against the South African born tech impresario amid his unprecedented access to presidential power.
Florida’s Top Cop has made Tesla protection job one in recent days, and has suggested incentives for those battling protests that may turn violent.
“We’re going to have law enforcement patrolling these dealerships. And I’ll tell you if you are a law enforcement officer in Florida and you interfere with somebody and prevent them from hurting a Tesla, come find me and I’m going to try to get you a pay raise and a promotion,” Uthmeier said on “Fox & Friends First.”
During that appearance, he alluded to “several statutes” in Florida law beyond vandalism that can enhance punishment. He also questioned the philosophy of people committing the vandalism.
“These leftist protesters, they seem to be attacking Teslas as a private company as a way to protest government. They seem to have overlooked the fact that Elon Musk is trying to eliminate government,” Uthmeier said.
14 comments
Peachy
March 29, 2025 at 10:19 am
Put those idiots in the El Salvador prison system.
Bill Pollard
March 29, 2025 at 10:54 am
We already have laws to deal with vandalism and the like. By the way, it was illegal to send anyone to that prison. All involved in that episode should be charged with felonies and face the full force of the law. That should include Trump for ordering it.
Peachy
March 29, 2025 at 11:49 am
How so? Were those criminals citizens of the United States or were they Kammy and Joe fence jumpers?
MH/Duuuval
March 29, 2025 at 2:18 pm
Answer the comment. Both you and AG Jimbo know the score: the US is undergoing a scourging from Putin’s Poodles. Just a little bit of pain now and they’s gladly pay us back on Tuesday — the 12th of Never.
Paul Passarelli
March 30, 2025 at 9:24 am
Please explain how:
) putting out the trash is a scourge?
) draining the swamp is bad?
) eliminating government waste, fraud , and abuse harms?
) stopping unfair trade harms our economy?
This is just a short list of Leftist delusions.
Please explain any, if you can.
Larry Gillis, Director-at-Large, Libertarian Party of Florida
March 29, 2025 at 12:08 pm
“ELON”? GIMME A BREAK, BRO
Why doesn’t this “poseur supreme” start acting (and sounding) like an actual Attorney General and start cutting out the political posturing? His personal agenda is obvious here, to the point where it glows in the dark.
Suit up, Pal.
Paul Passarelli
March 30, 2025 at 9:32 am
you wrote: “His personal agenda is obvious here, to the point where it glows in the dark.”
Really? Can you expand on that?
I fail to see how making it difficult for insane Leftists to protest with Molotov cocktails is a ‘personal agenda’. But if that is his personal raison d’être, then I too will support him as part of my enlightened self interest.
Janel Josephson
March 29, 2025 at 1:06 pm
Wish they would protect schools the same way they do some cars and auto dealerships.
MH/Duuuval
March 29, 2025 at 2:22 pm
We’re may have to pry their fingers from their beloved firearms though the real culprits are the MAGAs in government who are trying to outdo one another, seeking to advance themselves. Do we really want to see guys on the beach with their firearms on their persons?
Philip
March 29, 2025 at 2:33 pm
You sound like a corporate ass kisser !
Are you scared your shinny little car may get keyed or worse ? Do you shit all over the taxpayers who funded your way to being a billionaires? Pull your head out of your ass dickhead , before the whole country is gone !
Greg
March 29, 2025 at 3:26 pm
What started as faint murmurs and unease has spiraled into a shadowed abyss, something profoundly disturbing
If a man once hailed as a visionary can be demonized in an instant.
If everyday folks can be hunted down for mere crime of driving a car.
What Hope remains for free thought, for defiance, for the audacity to abandon the established order.
This transcends Tesla.
It is aa chilling portance,
a peek into a realm where dogma drowns reason
Where might molds truth
And where the pursuit of innovation morphs into a Perilous act of treason.
If we let this tide surge unchecked, who will be the next to fall?
*not written by me
Paul Passarelli
March 30, 2025 at 9:33 am
Forum needs a like button.
Ron Allgood
March 29, 2025 at 5:15 pm
You failed to mention that the protester’s tax dollars pay your salary as well as the police protecting the dealerships
Paul Passarelli
March 30, 2025 at 9:18 am
Load up. Load up. Load up, with rubber bullets.
Load up. Load up. Load up, with rubber bullets.
I want to hear those cowards squeal.
It’s a shame those slugs ain’t real.
‘Cause we can’t have burning
at the local Tesla sales.
With apologies to 10cc