On Saturday night, the Republican Party Headquarters of Orange County, North Carolina, was firebombed, leaving a burnt and damaged interior weeks before Election Day. According the authorities, a flaming bottle of liquid was thrown into the headquarters, and the words “Nazi Republicans Leave Town Or Else” were spray-painted on the side of the building.
No one was injured in the attack, as the headquarters was empty when it happened. Hillsborough police are investigating the crime, but as of yet they have no suspects. The Executive Director of the North Carolina Republican Party, Dallas Woodhouse, called the attack an act of “political terrorism.”
“Whether you are Republican, Democrat, or Independent, all Americans should be outraged by this hate-filled and violent attack against our democracy,” Woodhouse stated.
“Whether the bomb was meant to kill, destroy property, or intimidate voters, everyone in this country should be free to express their political viewpoints without fear for their own safety. We will be requesting additional security at all Republican Party offices and events between now and Election Day to ensure the safety of our activists, volunteers, and supporters.”
Hillsborough mayor Tom Stevens also condemned the attack, stating, “This highly disturbing act goes far beyond vandalizing property; it willfully threatens our community’s safety via fire, and its hateful message undermines decency, respect and integrity in civic participation.”
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton tweeted, “The attack on the Orange County HQ @NCGOP office is horrific and unacceptable. Very grateful that everyone is safe.”
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump sent out two tweets over the attack. In his first, he attempted to tie Clinton with the perpetrators, “Animals representing Hillary Clinton and Dems in North Carolina just firebombed our office in Orange County because we are winning @NCGOP.”
In the second, he stood with the affected members of the North Carolina Republican Party and pledged to win in November, “ALL SAFE IN ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA. With you all the way, will never forget. Now we have to win. Proud of you all! @NCGOP.”
The executive chairwoman of the North Carolina Democratic Party, Patsy Keever, said in a statement, “The North Carolina Democratic Party strongly condemns this attack. Violence has no place in our political system. We hope the perpetrators of this attack are brought to swift justice, and we are thankful that no one was hurt. Our deepest sympathies are with everyone at the North Carolina Republican Party.”
A group of Democrats started a GoFundMe to raise money for the headquarters and met its $10,000 goal in less than a few hours.