Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) said “the devastation was shocking” following the recent arson attack at his residence, adding in a New York Times opinion piece that “it looked like a bomb had gone off in the middle of our home.”
“Windows were smashed in, and there was glass everywhere. Some tables were turned over, and others had just melted away. Artwork from the New Deal era that had hung on display for visitors to enjoy had disintegrated into the walls. Plates we had eaten our Seder dinner on were broken and covered in soot,” Shapiro wrote in the Times.
“The Haggadah — our prayer book for the Seder — was burned so badly, only a few short lines of text were recognizable. The devastation was shocking, and to me, it did not appear to be an accident. The damage was too extreme,” he added.
Shapiro said “13 hours after the arsonist invaded our home, I stood at the window that he had climbed through, receiving an update from the Pennsylvania State Police, and then made clear to the people of my state that nothing would deter me from doing my job — and nothing would deter me from practicing my faith openly and proudly.”
“And I meant it. After I concluded my remarks, I rejoined my family to celebrate our second Passover Seder,” he added.
According Pennsylvania State Police, the suspect who was arrested in connection with the arson attack at Shapiro’s residence pointed to the struggle of the Palestinian people as his motivation.
Shapiro told reporters Tuesday that President Trump had called over the weekend to ask about the arson attack.
“He was very gracious. He asked how Lori and the kids were doing. [We] talked for a couple minutes about what transpired at the residence, and then we talked about for maybe the next 15 minutes or so about a whole host of other topics,” Shapiro said of the call.
“Obviously, I’m not going to get into our private conversation,” he continued, “but he’s attuned to the issues that are important to me. I, of course, know the issues that are important to him, and we agreed to stay in touch going forward.”
Shapiro said the call from the president came from his cellphone, so he didn’t recognize the number initially and let it go to voicemail.
