Officials confirmed the headquarters was damaged in a fire the Republican Party called “intentionally set.”
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The New Mexico Republican Party headquarters in Albuquerque was damaged early Sunday morning in a fire that is being investigated as arson.
The New Mexico Republican Party's headquarters in Albuquerque was damaged early Sunday morning in what the party described as “intentional arson.”
The Albuquerque Fire Department confirmed it was dispatched to the party's headquarters shortly before 6 a.m. for a report of a building fire, which was brought under control within five minutes. No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported.
The fire on Sunday involved the entrance to the headquarters and the entire building was filled with smoke, fire department spokesman Lt. Jason Feuer said.
He confirmed that the department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating the fire as arson.
An FBI spokeswoman confirmed the investigation was ongoing but said she could not provide additional details because the investigation was ongoing. The ATF did not immediately respond to requests for information Sunday.
The Albuquerque Police Department confirmed that federal authorities are investigating, but did not provide any additional information, including whether any arrests had been made.
In a statement, the New Mexico Republican Party said the fire was “not an isolated incident” and was accompanied by spray-painted letters reading “ICE=KKK.”
In recent months, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has deployed agents across the country in what the Trump administration has described as new and more aggressive efforts to combat illegal immigration and fulfill a key campaign promise to carry out mass deportations.
The New Mexico Democratic Party said Sunday it “condemns in the strongest terms any vandalism at the New Mexico Republican Party headquarters.”
ImageThe New Mexico Republican Party said the fire was accompanied by spray-painted letters reading “ICE=KKK.” Credit…New Mexico Republican Party
“We firmly affirm that these types of actions have no place in our democracy and that peaceful discourse and organizing are the only ways to resolve political differences in our country,” the state Democratic Party added. “We hope those responsible are found and held accountable.”
Amy Barela, chairwoman of the New Mexico Republican Party, said Sunday that the alarm system at the party's headquarters went off around 1 a.m., about four hours before the fire started.
She said the headquarters had been the subject of bomb threats and other acts of vandalism in recent years.
A former Republican candidate for the New Mexico House of Representatives was convicted this month of hiring people to shoot up the homes of Democratic officials in Albuquerque in 2022 and 2023.
“We totally condemn violence,” Ms. Barela said. “It doesn't matter where it comes from.”
She said the party was “deeply relieved that no one was hurt in what could have been a tragic and fatal attack.”
Livia Albeck-Ripka is a Los Angeles-based Times reporter who covers breaking news, California and other topics. More about Livia Albeck-Ripka
For more information, see: US Politics, Republican Party
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