The Republican Party of New Mexico is declaring a fire that burned an entryway at their Albuquerque headquarters Sunday an act of politically motivated arson.
Albuquerque law enforcement and FBI officials recovered “incendiary materials” designed to cause fires at the scene, according to the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. An investigation into blaze is underway, but the agency has not confirmed the cause or whether arson was involved.
However, in a Sunday news release, the state GOP called the fire a “deliberate act of arson” and a “horrific attack, fueled by hatred and intolerance” that joined a pattern of political violence across the country.
“We are deeply relieved that no one was harmed in what could have been a tragic and deadly attack,” Republican Party of New Mexico Chairwoman Amy Barela said in the news release. “Those who resort to violence to undermine our state and nation must be held accountable, and our state leaders must reinforce through decisive action that these cowardly attacks will not be tolerated.”
Barela said the political party is working with the ATF, local law enforcement and federal investigators to “bring those responsible to justice and ensure they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
USA TODAY has reached out to the Albuquerque police and fire departments for comment. The FBI said told USA TODAY that it is leading the investigation, but could not provide further details at this time.
New Mexico GOP: ‘ICE = KKL’ graffitied outside headquarters
The political party said it found the phrase “ICE = KKK” spray painted outside the building, comparing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to the white supremist group the Ku Klux Klan.
Outrage against ICE and the Republican Party have sharpened since President Donald Trump returned to the White House and made cracking down on immigration a priority< from a sweeping order on birthright citizenship to the an increased number of raids across the country.
On his first day in office, he issued an executive order titled “Protecting the American People Against Invasion” that directs all “unregistered aliens” to register with the government and submit both fingerprints and biographical information.
In the news release, Barela criticized the Democratic Party for attempting to “suppress free speech, silence dissent, and use fear to control the political narrative.”
“Let us not forget: it was the Democrat Party that once supported the formation of the KKK, pushed Jim Crow laws, and defended slavery,” Barela said. “Our fight is not just for our party — it’s for every New Mexican who wants a safer, freer, and more accountable state. We will never back down.”
New Mexico Democrats condemn GOP for weaponizing ‘vandalism’
The Democratic Party of New Mexico condemned the vandalism at GOP headquarters.
In a statement Monday, the party said it hopes those responsible are held accountable, adding that “this sort of act has absolutely no place in our Democracy, and that peaceful discourse and organization are the only ways to approach political differences in our country.”
State party chair Jessica Velasquez accused Republicans of weaponizing the fire against a Santa Fe townhall organized Saturday by Democrat Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez, who has represented the state’s 3rd congressional district since 2021. Fernandez reposted the statement Monday.
“Everyone who participated in the Congresswoman’s town hall knows how peaceful and community-oriented it was – participants were even invited to rise and pass the peace,” Velasquez said. “New Mexico Senate Republicans and others in their party are trying to distract from the real work the Congresswoman and Democrats do to bring people together and improve the lives of all New Mexicans. The Congresswoman deserves an apology.”
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, a Democrat, also condemned the possible arson, saying on X that while the full details of what took place are unclear, there is no excuse for arson or politically motivated crimes.
“Let me be clear, arson is a violent and cowardly act that has no place in our city,” Keller said in a statement shared on X. “Politically motivated crimes of any kind are unacceptable, and I am grateful to our fire department for their swift response.”
Contributing: Lauren Villagran, USA TODAY