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A man whom authorities describe as an anti-government extremist set fire Monday morning to the front of New York’s 26 Federal Plaza, which houses several federal agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the FBI.
The suspect, 43-year-old Army veteran Andrew Arrabaca, poured gasoline on the stairs leading to the building’s entrance before setting fire to it. Arrabaca was also in possession of an air-soft rifle, a hammer, a machete, axes, knives, and fireworks. He was carrying his belongings in cart bearing a sign that read, “ICE Off Our streets.” As he was being arrested, Arrabaca yelled derogatory things about ICE.
“He is an anti-American, anti-government extremist,” James Barnacle FBI assistant director in charge said during a Monday afternoon press conference.
Two people, a civilian and a federal employee, were transported to the hospital with minor injuries following the attack.
Arrabaca served in the Army from 2001 to 2005 as a mechanic repairing Patriot Missile systems.
The federal building Arrabaca targeted has been the site of numerous anti-ICE protests in the past. It is also at the center of an ongoing lawsuit filed by its detainees against the Trump administration for what they see as unsafe conditions and insufficient access to legal counsel.
“The abhorrent treatment of immigrants at 26 Federal Plaza is illegal and it must stop,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said in an August 2025 press release. “No one should be held in horrendous conditions for days in unfit and unsafe facilities. I am urging the court to order the federal government to follow the law and improve conditions for anyone detained there.” James wrote the amicus brief for the detainees’ lawsuit.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani spoke out against the attack, calling it “deeply disturbing” in a post on X. “My team is in touch with the NYPD and we will support the federal investigation,” he said.
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