{beacon} Technology Technology   The Big Story  Tesla attacks stoke fears of political violence  Weeks of violent protests at Elon Musk’s Tesla showrooms an d charging stations are fueling concerns political tensions could be reaching a boiling point amid anger and frustration over Musk's efforts to slash the federal bureaucracy.    © Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP From vandalized Teslas to gunshots at dealerships, protests have popped up across the nation amid anger and frustration over Musk's efforts to slash the federal bureaucracy.     Musk is facing mounting backlash over his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is driving mass layoffs at federal agencies, slashing government programs and obtaining access to sensitive personal information.      Tesla — Musk’s electric vehicle manufacturer — has turned into a political lightning rod amid the criticism.       “The role of wealthy industry leaders in government is sort of making the industry or the company’s product a potential target because there’s this sort of entwining of business leadership and political leadership in ways that people are concerned about that they don’t think are healthy for democracy,” said Adria Lawrence, a political science professor at John Hopkins University who studies conflict and collective action.      Many of the demonstrations have been peaceful. But in a few instances, protestors are setting Cybertrucks on fire, spray-painting Tesla showrooms or vehicles with profanity including swastikas, throwing Molotov cocktails or in some places, firing gunshots at dealerships.       No injuries have been reported so far.       It is not clear who is organizing the violent protests, though experts agree they are largely a response to DOGE from a small fringe of the electorate.       “There’s an incredible amount of anger that the richest man in the world has seen fit to not only meddle in the affairs of the federal government but also push people into poverty or at best living check to check because of the abrupt firings,” political strategist Basil Smikle said.      The attacks against Musk’s Tesla vehicles have come against the backdrop of an already agitated electorate, who in recent weeks have heckled lawmakers at town halls across the country about the tech billionaire and DOGE.     Lawmakers — both Republican and Democratic — have been confronted by angry attendees over the Trump advisor and his efforts to cut various sectors of the government.      Read more in a full report at TheHill.com   Welcome to The Hill’s Technology newsletter, we're Miranda Nazzaro and Julia Shapero — tracking the latest moves from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley.   Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here.   Essential Reads  How policy will be impacting the tech sector now and in the future:   Watchdog calls for ethics investigation into Lutnick’s Tesla stock plug The Campaign Legal Center (CLC) called for an investigation Friday into whether Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s recent comments encouraging Americans to buy Tesla stock violated federal ethics laws.  In a letter to the U.S. Office of Government Ethics and ethics officials at the Commerce Department, the watchdog group called Lutnick’s remarks an “apparently flagrant violation” of a federal law barring public officials …  Full Story   Trump compares violence against Tesla to Capitol riot: ‘You didn’t have anything like that on Jan. 6’ President Trump on Friday compared the vandalization of Tesla dealerships across the U.S. to the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, arguing the level of attacks on Elon Musk’s company wasn’t seen at the Capitol. “I view these people as terrorists, just like others. When I looked at those showrooms burning and those cars — not one or two, like seven, eight, 10 burning, exploding all over the place. These are terrorists. …  Full Story   Trump to Tesla vandals: ‘We are looking for you!!!’ President Trump issued a stark warning to those vandalizing Tesla dealerships across the U.S., threatening extensive jail time. “I look forward to watching the sick terrorist thugs get 20 year jail sentences for what they are doing to Elon Musk and Tesla,” Trump wrote early Friday on Truth Social. “Perhaps they could serve them in the prisons of El Salvador, which have become so recently famous for such lovely …  Full Story   The Refresh  News we've flagged from the intersection of tech and other topics: UFO whistleblower David Grusch hired as senior advisor to Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) (NewsNation) Elon Musk tells Tesla staff to hold onto stock at all-hands meeting amid company turmoil (CNBC)   Crypto Corner  Treasury lifts Biden-era sanctions on crypto mixer © Greg Nash Welcome to Crypto Corner, a daily feature focused on digital currency and its outlook in Washington.   The Treasury Department has lifted sanctions on decentralized crypto mixer Tornado Cash, the latest in a series of moves by the Trump administration to roll back Biden-era actions the industry opposed.   The Biden administration sanctioned Tornado Cash in August 2022. It accused the crypto mixer of laundering more than $7 billion worth of virtual currency, including $455 million stolen by a North Korea state-sponsored hacking group.   “Digital assets present enormous opportunities for innovation and value creation for the American people,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement Friday.   “Securing the digital asset industry from abuse by North Korea and other illicit actors is essential to establishing U.S. leadership and ensuring that the American people can benefit from financial innovation and inclusion," he added.   The move was immediately cheered by the crypto industry. Blockchain Association CEO Kristin Smith touted the reversal as "a major victory for our fundamental right to privacy."   "Game over," Paul Grewal, Coinbase's chief legal officer, wrote on X. Coinbase backed a lawsuit filed by several Tornado Cash users against the Treasury Department over the sanctions.   However, some were more skeptical.   "In a long list of horribles, this is one of the most dangerous and irresponsible things coming out of the Trump White House," Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) wrote on X. "Tornado Cash exists to make it easier to launder money. Period."   What Others are Reading  Two key stories on The Hill right now: Judge vows to ‘get to the bottom’ of whether Trump administration violated deportation flight order A federal judge chastised a Justice Department attorney Friday, expressing doubt about the legality of the Trump administration’s use of the … Read more Commerce secretary: No one but ‘fraudsters’ would complain about missed Social Security check Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick raised alarm over “fraudsters” receiving Social Security benefits, as Trump allies have ramped up rhetoric about … Read more   What Others are Reading  Opinions related to tech submitted to The Hill: The best solution to deepfake images: TAKE IT DOWN Will your spouse cheat on you? Here’s what the data say.     You're all caught up. See you next week!  Close Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here The latest in politics and policy. Direct to your inbox. Sign up for the Technology newsletter Subscribe ...read more read less