By MERILEE DANNEMANN
© 2025 Triple Spaced

“We are going to back off extremist political rhetoric, encourage our supporters to follow our example, and ask the opposing party to do the same,” said nobody, after the March 31 fire at New Mexico Republican state party headquarters. In a front-page headline, the Albuquerque Journal said GOP leaders were asking for a “cool down” after the fire, but the article below that headline, quoting reactions to the fire, suggested they only wanted Democrats to cool down. Based on the quoted comments, it appears Republican leaders were ready to blame Democratic leaders for the politically heated atmosphere we are now living in – and Democratic rhetoric for making somebody angry enough to set a Republican building on fire.

A few days before the arson, Congresswoman Teresa Leger-Fernandez had held a town hall in which she used the phrase, “legislate, litigate, agitate.” That phrase was cited as language that might motivate someone to torch a building. Agitate? Really?

As of this writing, there has been no official announcement from law enforcement regarding the cause of the fire or a suspect. The fire is being investigated as arson, but even that was not stated conclusively to the public. If it was, no information has been released about who set the fire.

Democratic leaders, including the governor and the mayor of Albuquerque, decisively condemned the apparent violence that caused the fire. There was no ambiguity. Responsible people don’t accept arson or other forms of destructive vandalism as a way to protest.

A week later, Democrats and other non-Republicans showed the world how they protest, with massive “Hands Off” rallies in several cities around New Mexico and throughout the country. The rally in Albuquerque attracted thousands. Rallies were reportedly scheduled in Santa Fe, Ramah, Taos, Gallup, Las Cruces, Portales, Socorro, Truth or Consequences, Los Lunas, Silver City and Alamogordo.

There were no reports of violence anywhere. In the reporting that followed the weekend, I did not see the issue of violence even mentioned. Civil behavior was apparently taken for granted, as it should be.

Political leaders on all sides condemn violence, except Republicans when the violence is committed on the orders of or in the name of Donald Trump. Republicans who are honorable and law-abiding people are stuck with this reality unless they choose to separate themselves from it.

This current generation of Republicans have made the choice to present themselves as a united bloc in support of whatever Trump wants or says. Therefore, whatever he says, all Republicans own it.

Republicans have still not spoken up to repudiate the violent insurrection of Jan. 6, 2021, still the most shocking event of our generation. Republicans are not speaking up to object to theillegal deportations of immigrants who have not committed crimes and were denied due process of law.

In response to the fire, New Mexico Republican Party Chairwoman Amy Barela said, “This is not how democracy works. No one has the right to threaten, intimidate or attack others because of their beliefs.” That’s a fine sentiment, but did the same statement apply to the federal agents who have arrested immigrant student protestors?

Several days later, commenting on the nationwide rallies, Barela said, “The Republican Party of New Mexico stands resolute in calling for all New Mexicans to rise above the division and unite in civility while exercising their First Amendment rights.” When they rebuild the doorway over the party headquarters, maybe she can arrange to have those words inscribed above it.

Merilee Dannemann’s columns are posted at www.triplespacedagain.com. Comments are invited through the web site.