As a Republican and proud supporter of law and order, I am writing with serious concerns about the direction some elements of our movement are taking—particularly in response to the ongoing protests against Tesla and Elon Musk.
I support our right to defend American innovation and conservative leadership, but what we’re witnessing lately goes beyond free speech—it borders on vigilantism. Even more troubling is the question of whether some in our party leadership, including President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi, may be encouraging this behavior, intentionally or not.
Consider the following incidents:
1. BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA – Rick Fuze, a vocal Trump supporter, reportedly entered a peaceful protest on March 22 riding an e-bike, blaring music, and then brandished a stun gun at demonstrators. While no one was physically harmed, this was clearly meant to intimidate fellow Americans exercising their First Amendment rights.
2. PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA – Just one day later, a man named Andrew Dutil drove his SUV toward a crowd of Tesla protestors. He was arrested and charged with felony aggravated assault. Again—no deaths or injuries, thank God—but the intent was clear.
3. RHETORIC FROM THE TOP – President Trump recently referred to Tesla protestors as “domestic terrorists” and floated the idea of sending them to El Salvadoran prisons for 20 years. AG Bondi has backed this tone with threats of federal charges. I understand wanting to protect our country from sabotage—but that language sounds less like justice and more like intimidation.
When leaders speak in extremes, others often act on them. And we as Republicans must take care not to cross a line where our passion turns into persecution.
I ask: Do President Trump and AG Bondi bear some responsibility for the rise in politically motivated violence? Are we, in our frustration with the Left, becoming the very thing we fought against?
We are the party of Lincoln and Reagan—not mob rule. If we let this kind of rhetoric go unchecked, we risk losing the moral clarity that once set us apart.
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