Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) condemned the recent attempted firebombing of a federal building in New York City as a consequence of Zohran Mamdani being elected mayor.
The Attack
On Monday, a man approached 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan, which is being used as a processing center, and used fireworks in an attempt to set the building on fire. He was tackled by a Federal Protective Service officer.
In addition to the fireworks, the suspect was found carrying knives, a hammer, a machete, and what has been suspected to be a pellet gun, while a cart he wheeled with him contained airsoft guns and a sign that read "ICE Off Our Streets."
The man has since allegedly been identified as Andrew Arrabaca, 43, a former U.S. Army Patriot missile mechanic who is in custody. James Barnacle, the assistant director for the FBI's New York field office, called Arrabaca "an anti-American, anti-government extremist."
Luna's Response
In a comment to The Floridian, Rep. Luna said, "I wholeheartedly denounce these acts of political violence, but unfortunately this is the type of radical behavior you get when you elect a radical politician like Mamdani to run your city. Hopefully this serves as a wake up call for New Yorkers."
Mamdani has made headlines for his "democratic socialist" stance and strongly anti-immigration enforcement stance, notably signing an executive order in February to uphold New York City's sanctuary city laws.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) condemned the measure, saying in a press release, "The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) condemns New York City's Mayor Zohran Mamdani for signing an Executive Order turning New York City into a shield for violent criminal illegal aliens to reoffend and create more innocent victims."
Rep. Luna, meanwhile, has been a strong proponent of cracking down on left-wing violence and its organizers.
In September, shortly after the murder of Charlie Kirk, the Florida congresswoman introduced legislation declaring Antifa a domestic terrorist organization. President Donald Trump declared the same in an executive order.
