Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) declined to assist a name for federal prosecutors to open a hate crime investigation into an arson assault at his house this week, saying “it’s not my job” however extra leaders do must “condemn this kind of violence.”
“I know as a former prosecutor how important it is to follow the evidence and apply the law and do so without fear or favor. In this case, I’m the victim in the crime, I’m not the prosecutor,” he informed “Good Morning America’s” George Stephanopoulos throughout a walkthrough of his house’s destruction.
Shapiro, standing amid the injury together with his spouse, received emotional whereas recounting his household’s celebration of the Jewish vacation Passover with neighborhood members in one of many massive rooms simply hours earlier than the fireplace was set there.
“We were probably downstairs until probably almost midnight and then went upstairs, maybe got to bed around 1 o’clock and then this happened around an hour later,” he stated.
Arson suspect Cody Balmer, who was arrested shortly after the blaze, was allegedly upset with Shapiro over his “perceived injustices to the people of Palestine,” authorities stated.
Shapiro had condemned Hamas’ violent assault on Israel in October 2023 and final 12 months known as for the dismantling of a pro-Palestinian encampment on the College of Pennsylvania.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Thursday responded by urging Lawyer Common Pam Bondi to analyze the arson as a hate crime. Shapiro, nonetheless, known as such calls untimely.
“I’m not sure that it’s helpful for people from the outside to be weighing in with their opinions here, George. No matter who they are,” he stated.
He did urge different leaders to face up and converse out in opposition to such acts of violence, saying it “needs to be universally condemned.”
“I don’t care if it’s coming from the left, from the right. I don’t care if it’s coming from someone who you voted for or someone who you didn’t vote for. Someone on your team or someone on the other team. I think every single leader has a responsibility to speak and act with moral clarity and condemn this kind of violence,” he stated.
He additionally pushed again on Republican Rep. Dan Meuser suggesting that the governor holds partial accountability for what occurred due to his rhetoric in opposition to President Donald Trump.
“Our hearts go out to the Shapiro family on this. But you know, they’ve got to tone it down, too. I mean, every action Josh Shapiro has taken so far against the president has either been a lawsuit or a falsehood,” Meuser stated in an interview Tuesday.
“I think leaders have a responsibility to speak and act with moral clarity and that particular congressman failed yet again,” Shapiro responded.
