As more details emerge about the Passover night arson attack on the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion — while Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family slept — politicians in both parties are denouncing political violence and demanding answers about Sunday night’s events.
“The situation with Gov. Shapiro and his lovely wife and the children is heart-wrenching,” state Sen. Tracy Pennicuick (R-Berks/Montgomery) told the DVJournal podcast. “I can only imagine how they are just devastated to be attacked like that.”
What some Pennslyvanians can’t imagine is how the alleged arsonist, Cody A. Balmer of Harrisburg, was able to get into the governor’s mansion with incendiary devices and ignite them. Was there a major security failure? The state police announced Wednesday they will hire a third-party to review the security and what happened at the governor’s mansion when the defendant breached the fence.
“I was surprised, alarmed, and, quite frankly, I couldn’t believe that happened,” former state police commissioner Glenn Walp told NBC News. “This could have turned into something far worse. It could have been a tremendous tragedy.”
The arson attack is just the latest in a series of political or ideologically motivated acts of violence in recent months. The most infamous was the assassination attempt targeting Donald Trump in Butler, Pa., last July, when a bullet came within inches of killing him.
Tesla vehicles and showrooms have been set ablaze as protesters expressed their anger against Elon Musk, who is spearheading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
And just last week, a Wisconsin 17-year-old was arrested after allegedly killing both his parents as part of a plot to assassinate Trump.
Former Delaware Valley Congressman Jim Gerlach is part of the bipartisan Democracy Defense Project, which is working to restore faith in democratic institutions and push back against divisive politics. He sees a connection between the rise in heated rhetoric and political violence.
The arson attack is “another sign that, not only in Pennsylvania but across the country, where some people think they can play out their political frustrations by undertaking violent acts,” Gerlach told the DVJournal podcast. “And so we are really, from a cultural standpoint, in a sad situation right now, where I hope the pendulum starts swinging back the other way.”
The Passover night attack on Shapiro, who is Jewish, raises concerns to another level, particularly with progressives using provocative language about Israel during protests over the Jewish nation’s war with Hamas. Crowds regularly call for “intifada” — a reference to a series of violent attacks carried out by Palestinians against Israeli civilians — and chant “From the river to the sea, Palestine shall be free.” The latter is viewed by many as a call for the destruction of the Jewish state.
State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks), who co-chairs the Jewish Caucus, said in a statement she finds it “hard to believe it’s mere coincidence that the attack occurred on the first night of Passover.”
The Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition (PJC), along with the Jewish Federations of Greater Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Greater Pittsburgh, Lehigh Valley, and Northeastern Pennsylvania released a joint statement.
“The attacker admitted to ‘harboring hatred’ toward Gov. Shapiro. While it has not yet been determined whether this act will be formally classified as a hate crime, the symbolism of attacking a residential space used for a Jewish religious observance by a Jewish governor on Passover cannot be overlooked,” they wrote.
The Jewish Coalition added, “Antisemitic attacks have risen significantly across Pennsylvania and the United States in recent years. These acts must not be tolerated in any civilized society. Everyone has the right to worship freely, and our differences should not only be tolerated—but embraced and celebrated.”
Watching the uptick in political violence, Gerlach says it’s time to hold elected officials responsible when they use irresponsible rhetoric.
“I think there has to be a strong message sent by the members of Congress themselves. So if a member does that, they have to immediately bring a censure resolution against that member,” Gerlach said. And if a representative continues to advocate violence, “then they should even consider kicking that member out of Congress.”
Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), who was just elected to the Senate in November, published a column in The Free Press also pointing a finger at political leaders for the climate of violence.
“Shapiro is a Democrat. I’m a Republican who supports President Donald Trump. But this isn’t a moment for partisanship. It’s time for all Americans to disown, condemn, and make every effort to stop political violence. And we must likewise call on our political leaders to avoid language that vilifies those on the other side.”
Pennycuick understands that people are going to disagree on political issues, but there is no reason the people of Pennsylvania should be divided.
“I may not agree with everyone in my district, but I certainly would like to think that I can always have a glass of wine and a conversation with them.”
