PA Gov. Josh Shapiro on Arson Attack, Family Recovery, and Political Violence

Accountability for Arson Attack

• ⚖️ Justice was served with Cody Balmer's guilty plea, bringing accountability for the political violence targeting the governor's home.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The governor's family supports the plea, emphasizing the importance of showing that such actions have consequences.
• 💔 While relieved to close this chapter, the family is on a constant process of healing from the emotional toll of the attack.

Personal Impact of Political Violence

• 😥 The governor expresses the difficulty of serving the public while knowing his work could put his family's lives at risk.
• ⚠️ He acknowledges the physical and emotional toll of political violence, citing examples like Paul Pelosi and Gabby Giffords.
• 🏠 The family is working through the trauma of knowing the attacker was inside their home, just steps from their living quarters.

Refusal to Live in Fear

• 💪 Despite the attack, the governor and his family are not willing to live in fear or succumb to it.
• 🤝 They have found strength and support from people across the Commonwealth and the country, helping them persevere.
• 🚀 They are committed to continuing their work, prioritizing safety, especially for their children, but will keep plowing forward.

Condemning Political Violence Broadly

• 🎯 Political violence is unacceptable, whether targeting someone for their faith, ideology, or political stance.
• 🗣️ All leaders are urged to speak and act with moral clarity, condemn such acts, and help lower the national temperature.
• 🚫 The idea that political violence exists solely on one side of the aisle is proven to be wrong, with perpetrators from both left-wing and right-wing ideologies.

Leaders Must Condemn All Violence

• 📣 Leaders must call out violence regardless of who is perpetrating it or who the target is.
• ⚠️ Cherry-picking which violence to condemn, as seen with the President's response, ratchets up the temperature and can imply acceptance of certain acts.
• 🌍 Speaking out against all political violence is crucial for healing and repairing the nation.