Most people know almost nothing about magnetism. It is actually one of the most powerful forces in the known universe. Electrical devices are not bothered by magnetic force, but electronic devices can be easily destroyed. You could kill ten trillion cell-phones with a single neodymium magnet.

The real issue is not whether someone will attempt to control your brain through some kind of electronic implant. Although, it does provide some comfort knowing that sort of thing is unrealistic. The real issue is property damage. If you were to detonate a large-scale EMP device in a densely populated area, it would be effective at what people call 'economic warfare'. In layman's terms, people would lose a lot of money.

Magnetic fields do not harm people or buildings. Magnetism will get into anything, like oxygen does. Unlike oxygen, magnetism also goes through walls. We have only found a single means of shielding things from magnetic fields. Unfortunately, that one thing is highly limited in usefulness. Basically, it is soft metal.

We cannot wrap everything vulnerable in soft-metal. If it became the case, where people began detonating EMP devices, the potential best-case scenario would be to enclose a single electronics room in soft-metal.

Luckily, Republicans are not in charge, otherwise, they would start the 'war on magnetism'.