On the morning of Monday, July 20, Andrew Arrabaca is alleged to have staged a violent attack on federal law enforcement in New York City by pouring gasoline on the steps leading up to 26 Federal Plaza and setting them ablaze. The building houses the offices of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the FBI.
New York City law enforcement arrested Arrabaca, a 43-year-old Army veteran, shortly after the incident. During his arrest, he reportedly yelled anti-ICE sentiments to onlookers. Police allege Arrabaca had in his possession a cart containing an airsoft rifle, a hammer, a machete, axes, knives, fireworks, and a sign which read “ICE Off Our streets.” Additionally, Arrabaca set off fireworks that grazed one bystander.
Left-wing terrorism incidents like this have become more common in today’s news headlines. Border czar Tom Homan said, “This is yet … another example of attacking ICE. And I’m sure if you ask that person why he did it, he can repeat the talking points you hear from Democratic members of Congress, the Democratic mayors and governors who simply want ICE to go away.” (RELATED: Why So Many Political Pyromaniacs, Assassins, and Other Scary Types?)
Democratic socialist New York City Mayor Mamdani is one of these politicians calling to abolish ICE. Careful not to offer explicit support for federal law enforcement, Mamdani issued a statement: “What occurred outside of 26 Federal Plaza this morning was deeply disturbing. I’m relieved that no one was seriously injured and that a suspect is in custody.”
In contrast, FBI Assistant Director James Barnacle explicitly condemned the suspect during a brief press conference on July 20, “He is an anti-American, anti-government extremist.”
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in an interview, “By reports we’re getting, this guy may have been suffering from a mental illness, but we’ll know that as the investigation goes forward.”
Many observers say incidents such as this prove the never-ending drumbeat of criticism and threats against ICE on social media are not harmless words. These posts demonize our law enforcement and encourage viewers to take violent action. (RELATED: Now We Know What ‘Maximum Warfare, Everywhere, All the Time’ Means)
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has reported a “1,300 percent increase in assaults, a 3,200 percent increase in vehicular attacks against them, and an 8,000 percent increase in death threats” against ICE officers in January 2026. With left-wing antipathy towards ICE only increasing, attacks like this may become the new normal.
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