Attack on Idaho office building tied to ICE is just plain wrong | Opinion

Thursday’s attack on a Meridian office building was wrong on so many levels.

Around 12:30 a.m., someone drove a stolen ambulance into the Portico North building where the Department of Homeland Security is leasing office space, according to Idaho Statesman reporting. The building, at the southeast corner of Eagle and Franklin roads, is owned by St. Luke’s Health System, whose Meridian hospital is one block south.

Police said the driver retrieved gas cans hidden in nearby vegetation then drove directly into the Portico North building. Investigators believe the driver poured an accelerant inside and around the outside of the ambulance but was unable to ignite the accelerant “before being scared off by responding agencies,” according to police.

“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,” Meridian Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea said.

The St. Luke’s arrangement with the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has drawn controversy over the past several days because of its possible use as work space for ICE.

If Thursday’s attack is related to that controversy, we understand the frustrations with ICE and the seriousness of the threats posed by the agency, which include unconstitutional actions and have resulted in the deaths of at least two citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

But an act of violence is not the proper response.

First, it’s just plain morally wrong.

Stealing an ambulance, breaking the law, destroying private property and potentially killing someone is wrong.

And it’s worth noting that ICE isn’t leasing the entire building — other people work there, as well, including those in the health care field, insurance and hospice care.

Throughout our history, civil disobedience has proven to work. Violence hasn’t.

Second, it’s counterproductive. Doing something like this only hurts your cause. If you want people to sympathize with you, this will have the exact opposite effect. People will think you’re a violent radical.

Third, it’s not necessary. Public sentiment is already turning against Trump’s handling of immigration, according to recent polls, especially after the killings of Good and Pretti.

Fourth, it won’t do any good. ICE won’t back down because someone attacked an office building in Meridian. If anything, this will embolden them.

This is the biggest gift someone could give to the people who want a harsh crackdown and more expansive powers for ICE.

Statesman editorials are the opinion of the Idaho Statesman’s editorial board. Board members are opinion editor Scott McIntosh, opinion writer Bryan Clark, editor Chadd Cripe, assistant editor Jim Keyser and community members John Hess, Debbie McCormick and Julie Yamamoto.

This story was originally published February 19, 2026 at 10:37 AM.