Interview with PA Governor Josh Shapiro After Arson Attack on His Family

Around 2 AM this morning, Pennsylvania State Police say a 38 year-old named Cody Balmer from Harrisburg, PA breached the fence outside the governor's mansion then proceeded to break into the mansion where Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were sleeping. According to the police, Balmer was inside the mansion for less than one minute but methodically set homemade incendiary devices to burn the mansion with everyone still inside.

Balmer is then accused of fleeing the mansion and escaping until later today when PA State Police found him and charged him with attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault against an enumerated person. He may also be facing federal charges but luckily, the state is charging him on a state level so no president could pardon him for his violent actions.

While there are photos of Cody Balmer circulating online, we chose to not share any of them as they could not be verified at this time and frankly, we do not wish to give any infamy to a person who chose violence over peaceful protest.

This is yet another escalation of violence in the United States where if you don't agree with a politician, peaceful protest is ruled out and someone will choose violence which we cannot condone in any way, shape, or form. It's not okay when someone does it in Butler, PA at a Trump rally and it's not okay when someone sets the governor's mansion on fire in Harrisburg, PA.

At this time, reactions online are wild with many on the right saying Josh Shapiro set the fire himself to make his family and him look like the victims of Trump violence. For the record, this is not true and just an excuse the far right has come to believe of any action befalling someone on the left.

Many on the left are saying Josh Shapiro deserved this violence because just last night he celebrated passover with his family in the governor's mansion and according to the left, Shapiro somehow condoned the actions by Israel defending itself against terrorist groups by Shapiro saying there needs to be a two-state solution in the Middle East in the run up to the 2024 election.

Let me make this clear, the governor of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania has absolutely no power over foreign policy let alone power over Israel's actions and right to protect itself from terrorist organizations. Even if Shapiro did have such power, violence against a politician should never be the answer. And to say Shapiro set the fire himself to make himself look like a victim is the craziest thing I've heard all week and I spent all last week in Rhode Island at an insurance convention.

We go live now to Harrisburg, PA where Governor Josh Shapiro and state authorities are outside the governor's mansion to give a brief statement and answer a few questions about the attack. We will warn you that some of the images of the building are alarming so they might be triggering to some but we'll preface this by saying everyone got out of the mansion safely with no physical injuries and they are recovering from their mental trauma at this time.

INTERVIEW

The building is owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania which will pay for the repairs to any damages with some subrogation from the accused if they are convicted of the crime. More details are to come as the investigation continues and as the trial takes place.

But in the meantime, please - if you disagree with any action from a politician on the right or left, contact their office to express your concern. Peacefully protest. Call upon your representatives and senators to impeach them but never, ever act in such violence no matter how much we might disagree.

And from all of us here at Powered By Rainbows, we hope you have a safe Passover, happy Easter, and stay safe no matter where you land on the political scale.

OUTRO