Pam Bondi Ends DEI Lawsuits and Launches Federal Crackdown on Tesla and GOP Arson Attacks

In a significant shift under the Trump administration, Attorney General Pam Bondi has officially ended a series of federal lawsuits that had been filed by the Biden administration targeting local police and fire departments for their merit-based hiring practices. These lawsuits had alleged that the departments were engaging in unintentional racial discrimination by relying on standardized tests and physical assessments as part of their candidate selection processes.

Bondi’s Justice Department stated that these cases, filed by the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division during the previous administration, lacked evidence of intentional bias and were primarily based on statistical disparities among applicants. The DOJ claimed the lawsuits were part of a broader DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiative that sought to impose hiring quotas under the guise of fairness, despite the lack of discriminatory intent.

“These lawsuits were political,” Bondi said in a statement. “American communities deserve police officers and firefighters hired for their skills and courage—not to meet diversity quotas.”

One such case involved the City of Durham, North Carolina, where applicants were required to score at least 70% on a written exam. The DOJ had claimed that Black applicants were disproportionately affected by this threshold, resulting in lower hiring rates. A proposed remedy from the Biden-era DOJ included eliminating the written test entirely and providing nearly $1 million in back pay and preferential hiring to those who failed.

A similar lawsuit filed against the Maryland State Police targeted their use of both written and physical fitness tests. Female applicants allegedly underperformed in the physical assessments, including push-ups, sit-ups, and endurance runs. The Biden administration’s DOJ proposed removing these physical standards and awarding $2.75 million in compensation to affected applicants. These lawsuits, along with cases in Indiana and Georgia, have now been dismissed.

Bondi emphasized that ending these cases is only the first step in a broader rollback of what she referred to as “illegal DEI mandates” across the government. President Donald Trump recently signed executive orders eliminating DEI offices and staff positions in all federal agencies and federal contractors.

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Rising Domestic Extremism Sparks Federal Action

While ending the DEI lawsuits has drawn major headlines, Bondi also announced a series of new prosecutions tied to what she described as a growing wave of politically motivated violence. In particular, federal charges have been filed against 40-year-old Jamison R. Wagner for allegedly setting fire to two Tesla vehicles at a dealership in New Mexico and for an arson attack on the New Mexico Republican Party headquarters.

According to federal authorities, Wagner defaced the Tesla vehicles with swastikas and the words “Die Elon” and “Die Tesla Nazi” before torching them. Weeks later, he allegedly used incendiary devices to ignite the GOP headquarters, causing extensive smoke and fire damage. Graffiti reading “ICE = KKK” was found nearby.

Bondi called the attacks acts of domestic terrorism and said Wagner would face prosecution under federal arson laws. “There will be no plea deals. Not for this. Not under my watch,” she told President Trump during a Cabinet meeting.

The Department of Justice has launched a special task force, working in partnership with the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), to investigate and prevent similar incidents targeting Tesla facilities, political party offices, and other ideologically symbolic sites.

The attacks have largely focused on Tesla, a company increasingly associated with federal restructuring under the Trump administration. Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, has taken on a significant role in efforts to shrink federal bureaucracy and modernize government operations, making him a controversial figure.

In recent weeks, federal agents have pursued additional suspects in related attacks on Tesla sites and fire stations across multiple states. At least four additional arson-related cases are under investigation, with several suspects believed to be connected to domestic extremist groups.

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A New Chapter for Law Enforcement and Public Policy

Pam Bondi’s actions this week reflect the Trump administration’s twin focus: eliminating DEI from public institutions and aggressively confronting domestic political violence.

Supporters of Bondi’s decisions argue that her stance will restore fairness and objectivity to public hiring while reinforcing the rule of law. Critics, however, warn that removing DEI policies could reverse decades of civil rights progress.

Meanwhile, the crackdown on domestic extremism targeting political and corporate symbols—particularly Tesla and Republican offices—demonstrates a shift in federal priorities. Where previous administrations may have hesitated, Bondi has acted swiftly and decisively.

As the Justice Department continues to implement these new policies, America’s legal, political, and cultural landscapes are poised for significant transformation. The lasting impact of these decisions will likely unfold over the months to come.