Schumer Calls for Federal Investigation into Shapiro Home Fire, Citing Possible Antisemitic Motive

On Thursday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urged the Justice Department to investigate the fire at Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's home, considering the possibility of an antisemitic hate crime.

Cody Balmer, a 38-year-old from Harrisburg, was arraigned earlier in the week on charges including attempted murder and terrorism. He is accused of breaking into the governor's residence early Sunday and setting the home on fire using homemade Molotov cocktails. This forced Shapiro and his family to evacuate.

Governor Shapiro, who is Jewish, had hosted a Passover celebration the night before the incident. In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Schumer stated that Balmer's comments about the attack raised serious concerns about antisemitic motivation. Schumer emphasized the need for federal authorities to thoroughly examine the matter, given the allegations that the suspect targeted Shapiro based on his religious identity.

According to a search warrant, Balmer admitted to police that he harbored hatred toward Shapiro and would have harmed him if he had found him inside the residence. In a 911 call, Balmer stated that Shapiro needed to know he would not support Shapiro's plans regarding the Palestinian people. The attack caused significant damage to parts of the residence, but fortunately, no one was injured. Balmer's mother has stated that her son was mentally ill and not taking his medication.