Elon Musk has defied county orders by restarting production at Tesla’s Alameda-based location. 

According to a report by Bloomberg, Musk has reopened Tesla Inc.’s (NASDAQ: TSLA) only U.S. car manufacturing plant in Alameda County, California. 

In a tweet published on Monday, Musk provided notice that his company would be resuming production despite being in violation of the county’s COVID-19 regulations. Tesla’s chief executive said he would be working the line alongside his employees and dared county authorities to arrest him for his actions. 

Musk, who has been outspoken against the country’s stay-at-home orders, published a tweet at the end of April saying “FREE AMERICA NOW.”

Tesla’s chief executive also threatened to remove the electric car manufacturer’s headquarters and 20,000 San Francisco-based employees from California, saying he would relocate to Nevada or Texas. 

Scott Haggerty, county supervisor for the district in Alameda where Tesla’s plant is located, said it would be a “sad day” if police were forced to arrest Musk. 

He continued, 

I don’t think Musk can just fly in the face of the local health order, which is more restrictive than the state’s.

Tesla’s price failed to appreciate on Monday in response to news that the factory would be re-opening. However, TSLA share prices jumped more than 5% last Thursday, following Musk’s appearance on the popular podcast the Joe Rogan Experience. 

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