Fire Damages New Mexico GOP Headquarters in Suspected Arson Attack
A fire broke out at the New Mexico Republican Party headquarters in Albuquerque on Sunday, February 11, at approximately 5:56 a.m., causing damage to the building’s front entryway and leaving smoke damage throughout. The incident, which authorities suspect was arson, is now under investigation by federal agencies.
Albuquerque Fire Rescue responded quickly to the scene, extinguishing the flames within five minutes. However, the damage was described as “heartbreaking” by New Mexico GOP Chairwoman Amy Barela. Adding to the severity of the incident, graffiti reading “ICE=KKK” was spray-painted on the building, suggesting a politically motivated attack.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are leading the investigation. Incendiary materials, possibly including a molotov cocktail, were discovered at the scene, supporting the arson suspicions.
Barela strongly condemned the attack, stating, “Political violence is never the answer. Let’s come together and work at the table and fix New Mexico and fix the United States rather than create this kind of violence.”
The Democratic Party of New Mexico also issued a statement denouncing the violence, emphasizing that such acts have no place in a democracy and advocating for peaceful discourse.
This incident is not isolated, as the New Mexico GOP has faced previous threats, including a bomb threat in 2023 and numerous threatening phone calls. Leticia Munoz, executive director of the New Mexico GOP, noted, “We have been receiving many phone calls that are not very nice, threatening type phone calls, cursing phone calls.”
The attack fits into a broader pattern of politically motivated violence across the United States, raising concerns about the safety and security of political organizations. Both Republican and Democratic officials stressed the importance of holding perpetrators accountable and maintaining the integrity of democratic processes.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. The attack on the GOP headquarters serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by political organizations in maintaining security while engaging in open democratic discourse.
