Trump Remains Quiet Following Arson Attack
Attorney General Josh Shapiro, 2022. Photo courtesy of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Public domain.
It was meant to be a quiet night of reflection and family tradition. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, his wife Lori, their four children, two dogs, and a group of guests had gathered in the governor's residence in Harrisburg to celebrate Passover. But that night ended not with peace — but with pounding fists on their bedroom doors and smoke pouring into the halls.
In the early hours of April 13, a man scaled the residence's perimeter wall, hurled homemade incendiary devices through the windows, and ignited a blaze that gutted a wing of the home. The alleged attacker, 38-year-old Cody Balmer, is now facing terrorism, attempted homicide, and aggravated arson charges.
The Shapiro family escaped without physical harm — but narrowly. Condolences and condemnations have poured in following the family's escape. And yet one absence has been glaring: Not a single call, statement, or tweet from President Donald Trump.
A Frightening Night for the Shapiro Family
The attack was deliberate and shockingly close to a deadly outcome. According to Pennsylvania State Police, Balmer used gasoline-filled beer bottles as Molotov cocktails and carried a sledgehammer to confront Shapiro if they crossed paths.
Shapiro spoke to PEOPLE about his experience that night, saying, "We had — I get emotional just thinking — had our family. We had — guests from the community from across Pennsylvania. It was just a really beautiful night. It's our first time back in this room. I was in here at about maybe 3:00 in the morning with the fire chief when it became immediately apparent to me, this wasn't just, you know, an accidental fire, candle being left on or something."
No one was physically injured, but the south wing of the governor's residence — which lacks sprinklers — was severely damaged, with damages possibly reaching into the millions.
Who Is Cody Balmer — And Why Did He Do It?
Balmer, who has a history of criminal behavior, confessed to harboring hatred toward Gov. Shapiro. In a chilling 911 call reported by MSNBC, he allegedly linked his attack to the governor's Jewish faith and stance on Israel, saying Shapiro needed to know that he "will not take part in his plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people."
According to MSNBC, Balmer also added that Shapiro needs to stop "having my friends killed" and that "our people have been put through too much by that monster."
The court has not formally declared the crime a hate crime, and Shapiro himself said the determination of motive is up to prosecutors. Still, the attack happened on the first night of Passover, targeting one of the most visible Jewish politicians in the country — and one who had faced backlash from anti-Zionist activists in recent months.
A Breakdown in Security
In his televised interview reported by PEOPLE, Shapiro acknowledged that there were "clearly security failures."
The intruder was able to hop the governor's 7-foot iron perimeter fence, evade security, break windows, and ignite the fire — all before being noticed.
The suspect was inside for less than a minute, but it was long enough to start a fire that could have killed everyone in the home. According to Shapiro, the Pennsylvania State Police are investigating and reassessing protocols.
Where Was Trump?
In the aftermath of political violence, it's customary — though not mandatory — for national leaders to publicly condemn such acts. Shapiro has made a point to do so in the past. He traveled to Butler, Pa., after the Trump assassination attempt. He spoke with victims. He condemned the violence. And he's done the same for others targeted in Altoona and beyond.
But this time, with the target being Shapiro, the president's silence has been conspicuous. In a quote reported by PEOPLE, when asked if he had heard from Trump, Shapiro answered, "I haven't. I heard immediately that day from Director [Kash] Patel of the FBI. And I've heard from Attorney General [Pam] Bondi," — both Trump appointees.
When asked, Trump finally addressed the attack vaguely. According to the Associated Press, he said, "The attacker basically wasn't a fan of anybody," he told reporters. "And certainly, a thing like that cannot be allowed to happen."
A Rise in High-Profile Political Attacks — Or a Perception Problem?
It's easy to assume that political violence is on the rise in America — especially with recent events: the hammer attack on Paul Pelosi, arson at the New Mexico Republican Party headquarters, and assassination attempts on Trump himself.
But the data tells a different story. According to Kieran Doyle, a political violence researcher at ACLED (Armed Conflict Location and Event Data), incidents by organized extremist groups have declined since 2021, thanks largely to crackdowns after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. However, individual actors with unpredictable motivations — like Balmer — remain a dangerous wildcard.
These lone wolf attacks often reflect murky motives, not cleanly aligned with right or left ideologies — making them harder to predict and prevent.
Is Silence a Statement?
In an increasingly polarized political climate, silence can speak volumes. When a prominent public figure, especially a president, fails to comment on an attack against a political rival, people notice.
Was it political calculation? Oversight? Or something more? Trump has publicly condemned attacks in the past — particularly when the target was himself. But his handling of the Shapiro incident stands in stark contrast to those moments.
Josh Shapiro himself isn't dwelling on the silence. In comments reported by PEOPLE, he said, "I think every single leader has a responsibility to speak and act with moral clarity and condemn this kind of violence."
References: Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro Cites 'Security Failures' That Allowed for Home Arson Attack, Reveals He Hasn't Heard from Trump | Judge Denies Bail for Man Accused of Setting Fire at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's Residence | The Hate That Came to the Pennsylvania Governor’s House | Are Attacks Like the One on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on the Rise? | The Growing List of Political Violence in the U.S.
