Republican Representative Dan Meuser of Pennsylvania was harshly criticized after saying on a local radio show that Josh Shapiro, his state's governor, should soften his rhetoric toward President Donald Trump, suggesting that Shapiro deserved it after an arsonist set his official residence ablaze, forcing him, his family, and their visitors to flee over the Passover weekend.
The fire broke out just hours after the Shapiro family hosted a Passover dinner on Saturday, prompting them to flee their home after being jolted awake by police loudly knocking at the door, Shapiro told reporters Sunday. The house was badly damaged in the blaze.
Cody Balmer, 38, was arrested in Harrisburg on Sunday afternoon and, according to prosecutors, confessed to the attack during an interview with state troopers. The affidavit also alleges that Balmer told investigators he would have attacked the governor with a hammer if given the chance.
News outlets report that Balmer called 911 following the incident, expressing distress over Governor Josh Shapiro’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to newly released search warrants.
The call was made around 2:50 a.m., approximately 50 minutes after a fire was reported at the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg, state police records indicate. During the call, Balmer allegedly told the dispatcher he "will not take part in his plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people," seemingly referencing Shapiro.
But Meuser was without sympathy and explained that he believed the lack of condemnation from Democrats over attacks on Tesla dealerships contributed to the circumstances that led to the attack on the governor’s residence:
“Hey, you know, just on the whole thing with the governor’s office yesterday being attacked on Passover — which was horrible, you know, absolutely awful, it needs to be condemned — but you know what just kills me? And I hate to have to go back to this, but there’s been so many Tesla dealerships firebombed."
"There was a firebomb [on] GOP headquarters out west; and then, meanwhile, you got those on the left, you know, continuing to make violent type of hostile commentary, and this happens and we all jump right on board saying this is horrible, this needs to be condemned by all. So the left’s got to, you know, look in the mirror here, too."
“And again, there was nothing to state other than how terrible what what occurred was; but look, this has been going on from the left to the right. You know, this instance, this guy was a psycho, of course, and our hearts go out to the Shapiro family on this; but, you know, they 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; and, you know, that’s not helpful either. That’s not helpful either."
You can hear what Meuser said in the audio below, which he shared to his official X account with a mention about the "disgraceful arson attack at the Governor’s residence."
Many have condemned his remarks.
Earlier this week, Shapiro said "this type of violence is not okay," adding that he doesn't "give a damn "if it's coming from one particular side or the other, directed at one particular party or another, directed at one particular person or another."
Shapiro told reporters Wednesday afternoon that he has not yet heard from Trump since the incident, though others in the Trump administration, including Vice President J.D. Vance, have condemned the attack.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said that both she and FBI Director Kash Patel spoke with Shapiro following the attack, which she described as “horrific.”
Bondi said she "firmly believed" the assault was an attempt to kill Shapiro and pledged continued support for state authorities to “do anything we can to help convict the person who did this and keep them behind bars for as long as possible.”
