‘This type of violence is not OK:’ Shapiro says after arson attack
An investigation was underway after a fire tore through Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence in Harrisburg early on Sunday, April 13.
President Donald Trump said he isn’t aware of a motive for the man accused of setting fire to the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion that forced the evacuation of Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family.
“He was probably just a whack job and certainly a thing like that can not be allowed to happen,” Trump told reporters on April 14 while meeting in the Oval Office with the president of El Salvador.
Shapiro and his family fled their home at 2 a.m. on April 13 to escape the fire, which caused significant damage to the governor’s mansion. Cody Balmer, 38, of Harrisburg, was arrested and charged with attempted murder, aggravated arson, burglary, terrorism and related offenses.
Harrisburg is a mechanic who has posted negative comments online about both Trump and former Democratic President Joe Biden.
“The attacker was not a fan of Trump I understand,” the president said Monday. “Just from what I’ve read and what I’m been told. The attacker basically wasn’t a fan of anybody.”
The comments were Trump’s most extensive yet on the suspected arson attack on a leading political figure. Shapiro was a finalist to be Democratic president candidate Kamala Harris’ running mate.
Asked on the evening of April 13 while he was flying on Air Force One about the fire at the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion, Trump said: “I just heard about it… I have to look into it.” Trump has not commented on social media about the fire.
Members of Trump’s administration expressed relief that Shapiro and his family are safe.
“Thanks be to God that Governor Shapiro and his family were unharmed in this attack,” Vice President JD Vance posted on social media. “Really disgusting violence, and I hope whoever did it is brought swiftly to justice.”Asked Monday if the president has a statement on the suspected arson attack, the White House pointed to Vance’s post on X.