Earlier this month, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro condemned the arson attack on his family’s house. He called it “sadly a real part of our society today.” Security concerns have come into question during the incident, which has received national attention. The occurrence cast a pall over security protocols in the state. Shapiro has pledged to lead by bringing people together, rather than tearing them apart. He told MSNBC that he had not heard from former President Donald Trump since the attack.
The most recent attack was in Butler, Pennsylvania on 38-year-old Cody Balmer was arrested. Balmer’s charges are severe, as they include attempted first degree homicide, aggravated arson, and terrorism. According to search warrants, Balmer confessed to the crime. After the attack, Shapiro called the need for moral clarity from leaders during chaotic periods.
I knew right away that day because I heard directly from Director [Kash] Patel of FBI. I’ve been listening to Attorney General [Pam] Bondi,” Shapiro said. He put a serious focus on calling out violence, regardless of the source. Each and every one of you leaders out there needs to speak and act with great moral clarity to condemn this sort of violence, he declared.
In the days following the attack, Shapiro personally traveled to Butler to talk with victims and see the immediate impact for himself. “I’ve talked to victims. I’ve been to Butler,” he said. During this time, Shapiro’s family has been his greatest support system. “We’re doing okay. You know, our kids are resilient. Lori’s been a rock. And I’m trying to be a good dad, a good husband, a good Governor in that order,” he explained.
Lori Shapiro reiterated her husband’s hopes, thanking the community for their continued support during such a difficult time. She remarked, “I think they’ve been really reassured, as I think we all have by the outpouring of support that we’ve gotten from all corners.” This support as a whole has given the Shapiro family peace as they continue to process the aftermath of the incident.
Speaking after the testimony, Shapiro did not shy away from the security failures that contributed to the ability of the attack to happen. “Look, there— there were clearly security failures. And— I want, you know, I have confidence in the Pennsylvania State Police to learn from it, to address it,” he stated. Taken together, his comments reflect a genuine yearning for accountability and a desire to improve state security measures.
As conversations around political violence increasingly dominate the public conversation, Governor Shapiro called for a new spirit of cooperation from all leaders. That kind of leadership to unite everyone is essential, and even more so when we’re not rallying around a trauma in Butler, Altoona or Harrisburg. He spoke to the need to choose love over hate, and unity over division. As with much of his executive action, this new approach shows his dedication to creating a more inclusive political environment.