Radical Arson Plot Targets DHS

Magnifying glass showing Homeland Security website.

A radical activist’s premeditated arson plot against a DHS office in Idaho was foiled by swift law enforcement action, exposing the violent backlash against President Trump’s immigration enforcement victories.

Story Snapshot

Sarah Elizabeth George, 43, arrested for ramming a stolen ambulance into Portico North building housing DHS offices on February 18, 2026.
Pre-staged gasoline cans poured as accelerant; no fire ignited due to rapid police response preventing catastrophe.
Incident treated as attempted arson and potential domestic terrorism amid surging threats to ICE amid border security expansions.
Federal charges carry mandatory minimum 5 years, up to 20 years in prison, signaling strong prosecution against attacks on law enforcement.
Reflects 8,000% rise in death threats to ICE officers under Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” adding 12,000 agents.

Premeditated Attack Unfolds in Meridian

On February 18, 2026, at approximately 11:10 p.m., Sarah Elizabeth George stole an ambulance from St. Luke’s Meridian Medical Center in Meridian, Idaho. She retrieved pre-staged gasoline cans from nearby bushes and rammed the vehicle into the Portico North office building at 25 mph. The building houses Department of Homeland Security administrative offices. George poured accelerant inside and around the ambulance before fleeing on foot as officers arrived. No injuries occurred, and no fire ignited due to the immediate response.

Swift Manhunt Leads to Arrest

Meridian Police launched a manhunt the next day, February 19, with assistance from FBI, ATF, and Idaho State Police. Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea called the incident “absolutely an act of violence” at a news conference. After five days of door-to-door canvassing, surveillance review, witness interviews, and technological analysis, authorities arrested George at her Boise residence on February 24. Federal agencies led the probe, treating it as suspected domestic terrorism targeting federal property.

The Portico North building at 3330 E. Louise Drive, owned by St. Luke’s Health System, serves as administrative space for DHS, not an ICE processing facility. St. Luke’s confirmed patient care remained unaffected despite the stolen ambulance belonging to Canyon County Paramedics. Structural damage occurred, but roadways reopened by Thursday morning.

Federal Charges and Severe Penalties

George faces federal charges for attempted destruction of federal property by fire. These statutes impose a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and up to 20 years, plus fines. The laws cover attempts to damage government-assisted property or assets in interstate commerce. Prosecutors will pursue maximum penalties to deter attacks on federal facilities essential to national security.

Law enforcement credited combined traditional and advanced investigative methods for the quick arrest. The case remains active, with no motive disclosed by authorities. This prosecution sets a precedent amid rising violence against immigration enforcers.

Escalating Violence Against ICE Amid Trump Reforms

The attack coincides with heightened tensions over immigration policy under President Trump’s America First agenda. A DHS spokesperson reported an 8,000% increase in death threats and 1,300% rise in assaults on ICE officers. This follows the “Big Beautiful Bill,” expanding ICE by 12,000 officers—a 120% workforce increase to secure borders and deport criminals. Such violence validates the need for robust enforcement against open-border radicals.

Similar incidents include an arson attack on a Surprise, Arizona warehouse slated for ICE detention. Local backlash, like Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s resistance to new facilities over infrastructure concerns, underscores opposition to Trump’s deportation push. St. Luke’s distanced the site from ICE operations, emphasizing its administrative role. These events highlight vulnerabilities in federal facilities supporting border security, prompting calls for enhanced protections. ICE expansion protects American communities from illegal immigration threats long ignored by prior administrations. Patriots cheer the arrest as a win for law and order.