A fire damaged the Republican Party of New Mexico’s headquarters in Albuquerque on March 30, 2025, around 6 a.m. The blaze, which affected the building’s entryway, is being investigated as a potential act of arson by federal authorities.
The incident occurred at 5150 San Francisco Rd NE, with no reported injuries, as the building was unoccupied at the time. The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are leading the investigation into the alleged arson.
GOP Chairwoman Amy Barela condemned the attack, stating, “We will not allow New Mexico’s broken criminal justice system to dilute the seriousness of this attack… The Republican Party of New Mexico will not be silenced. We will emerge from this stronger, more united, and more determined to fight for the people of New Mexico and the future of our country.”
The incident also involved vandalism, with “ICE=KKK” spray-painted on the building. The Republican Party denounced this as a hate crime and a politically motivated act.
Barela emphasized the gravity of the situation, saying, “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.”
On April 1, the Republican Party of New Mexico posted on Facebook: “Early Sunday morning, our Republican Party of New Mexico headquarters in Albuquerque was targeted in a cowardly act of arson. We need your help to recover. With your donation, we’ll rebuild our headquarters, bring our team back to work safely, and fling our new doors open wide to every New Mexican—stronger and more united than ever!”
The Republican Party of New Mexico is cooperating fully with law enforcement. Barela confirmed her team is working closely with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), local law enforcement, and federal investigators.
This incident has raised concerns about political violence affecting conservatives across the country. While national GOP officials have voiced alarm over rising political violence, Democratic representatives have also condemned such acts, emphasizing that political violence is unacceptable regardless of the target.
The fire caused significant damage to the entryway and smoke damage throughout the building. The ongoing investigation is part of a broader federal effort to address domestic terrorism.
As the investigation continues, both law enforcement and political parties are emphasizing the importance of maintaining a safe environment for democratic participation and political expression.