Tom Petty has threatened Republican congresswoman Michele Bachmann with legal action after she used his 1977 single ‘American Girl’ without his permission.

According to Rolling Stone, Bachmann, who is intending to stand as a candidate for the presidency in 2012, used ‘American Girl’ as the exit music at the launch of her campaign earlier this week. However, as soon as Petty was informed of this, he instructed his lawyer to issue a cease and desist letter.

Bachmann, who was recently heavily criticized after she confused actor John Wayne with serial killer John Wayne Gacy in a speech, represents Michigan in US Congress and hopes to secure the Republican nomination in the 2012 race for the White House.

This is the second time in recent years Petty has criticized a Republican presidential candidate for using his music.

In 2000, he issued a similar threat to George W.Bush, who had been using his song ‘I Won’t Back Down’ at campaign rallies. Bush agreed to stop after being informed of Petty‘s displeasure.

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