We’ve seen plenty of violence by anti-ICE activists, but this latest stunt in Idaho could have ended up in serious tragedy. Luckily, the miscreant failed, but he’s still on the loose. (Note: I am using the pronoun “he” to keep things clearer, but the gender of the suspect is not known at this time.)

The unknown attacker’s plot was pretty sinister: he reportedly stole an ambulance in the city of Meredian on Wednesday night, stuffed it with gasoline cans, and then rammed it into a Department of Homeland Security facility. The plan would have been successful — if he’d managed to ignite the accelerant, which he had also poured around the vehicle, but he was not able to before law enforcement scared him away. He was wearing a black shirt, tan pants, and a medical-style mask.

Good thing he was inept, because it could have been ugly:

? BREAKING: An attempted terrorist attack to KlLL ICE agents in Idaho just FAILED

Thank GOD.

Per local police, the assailant stole an ambulance, loaded it up with gas cans, and drove into a DHS office in Idaho

PLEASE pray for DHS heroes tonight ??
pic.twitter.com/zt4xHCx1UH

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) February 20, 2026

Just because the arsonist failed to burn the whole building down doesn’t mean it wasn’t a serious crime, said Meridian Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea.

We want to emphasize that this was a serious criminal act. The theft and destruction of an emergency vehicle not only created a risk to responding personnel, but it also temporarily removed a critical medical resource from the community.

? BREAKING NEWS and Developing Story:

Photos from @CBS2Boise of the Portico North office building in Meridian, ID where someone crashed a stolen ambulance into the lobby and attempted to set the building on fire. A portion of the building reportedly had been leased to DHS,… pic.twitter.com/Uxc1OGIzcs

— Ryan Spoon (@SpoonForIdaho) February 19, 2026

He continued, arguing that the constant anti-ICE rhetoric only fanned the flames:

There has been a lot of rhetoric surrounding the Department of Homeland Security leasing office space at this location.

Comments on social media, such as 'property damage isn't violence,' is absolutely false.

This was absolutely an act of violence, and if the suspect had not been interrupted, there is no doubt this building would have been burned, putting the lives of first responders and others at risk.

MORE: School, Who Needs School? LA HS Students Ditch Class for Anti-ICE Protest, Hit Officer in Head With Pole

Watch: Unhinged Woman Sets Fire at Building in Kansas City, MO, Reportedly Considered for ICE Facility

The feds certainly don’t think it’s a joke:

BREAKING NEWS
ATF Special Agents responded to Meridian, Idaho, where they are on scene and assisting Meridian PD after a suspect crashed an ambulance into a building where @DHSgov is leasing space. Please direct all media inquiries to Meridian PD, the lead investigating agency. pic.twitter.com/SllowGwVxA

— ATF Seattle (@ATF_Seattle) February 19, 2026

Basterrechea says he’s not going to discuss any further details until they have more information:

The Meridian Police Department is leading the investigation in coordination with the FBI, ATF, DHS, Idaho State Police and other regional law enforcement partners.

"Any information that we believe would hinder our investigation will not be released at any time," Basterrechea said. "We want to make sure that this investigation is as clean as possible and that we bring the people responsible to justice."

The Left will doubtless continue their inflammatory rhetoric against federal law enforcement, and this type of event is exactly what naturally ensues. The next time, we might not be so fortunate.

Editor’s Note: Democrats are fanning the flames and raising the rhetoric by comparing ICE to the Gestapo, fascists, and secret police.

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