- Federal agents are investigating an arson at the New Mexico Republican Party headquarters, where someone spray-painted “ICE=KKK” on the building. GOP Chairwoman Amy Barela said authorities are treating the incident as a hate crime.
- Barela expressed concern for staff safety and stated that the attack is part of a nationwide pattern of politically motivated violence.
- Democratic Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez condemned the attack, but Barela criticized her contradictory statements, referencing Fernandez’s “agitate” comments at a town hall, which she felt clashed with her calls for unity.
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Federal agents are conducting an arson investigation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, after officials said someone intentionally set a fire at the New Mexico Republican Party headquarters. Someone also spray-painted the words “ICE=KKK” on the building early Sunday, March 30.
How has local GOP responded to the incident?
In a statement, the party called it a horrific attack and said it’s not an isolated incident, but part of a pattern of politically motivated violence nationwide.
New Mexico GOP Chairwoman Amy Barela said authorities are now investigating it as a hate crime.
“With everything going on across the United States, I’m really worried about the safety of our staff,” Barela said on Fox News Monday, March 31. “This has been deemed a hate crime and I know they’re going to be back out today to do more investigations and collect more cameras from the neighboring businesses.”
How have local Democrats responded to the attack?
New Mexico Democratic Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez posted to X following the suspected arson attack.
“Political violence is unacceptable, including the arson attack on New Mexico’s GOP headquarters. The perpetrators must be held accountable. Every American should be able to freely and safely participate in our democracy. At my town hall yesterday, I spoke about love in action — about the importance of showing respect and listening. That is what we need right now,” Fernandez said.
Political violence is unacceptable, including the arson attack on New Mexico’s GOP headquarters. The perpetrators must be held accountable. Every American should be able to freely and safely participate in our democracy.
— Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (@RepTeresaLF) March 30, 2025
At my town hall yesterday, I spoke about love in…
During Fernandez’s town hall Saturday, March 29, she pushed back on the Trump administration’s federal funding cuts.
“We have a three-prong project: legislate, litigate, agitate. You guys are part of the agitate part,” Fernandez said.
Barela said Fernandez’s words at the town hall were a sharp contrast from her statement on X.
“You’re holding a town hall about the love of the community and you use the word agitate. That’s contradictory,” Barela said.
What happens next?
Local fire officials are investigating the arson incident, along with the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
No one was hurt in the incident.
