Authorities in South Carolina have confirmed that the recent fire at the home of Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein and her husband, former state senator Arnold Goodstein, was not the result of arson. Firefighters responded to the incident at their Edisto beach property on Saturday, which resulted in three people being hospitalized.
Investigation Details
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is conducting an “active and ongoing” investigation into the fire. A spokesperson from SLED indicated that there is currently no evidence suggesting the fire was deliberately set.
- Date of incident: Saturday
- Location: Edisto beach, South Carolina
- Injuries reported: Three hospitalized
Update from Authorities
SLED Chief Mark Keel stated that initial investigations show no signs of a pre-fire explosion. He urged the public and media to refrain from spreading unverified information while the investigation continues. A spokesperson from the FBI’s Columbia Field office confirmed that they are aware of the situation but emphasized that SLED is leading the investigation.
Political Context
In the aftermath of the fire, criticism emerged from some political circles. Democrats have accused right-wing individuals of politicizing the incident. Judge Goodstein recently blocked the Trump administration’s attempts to seize state voting records, which has sparked backlash.
Representative Daniel Goldman of New York attributed the fire to what he described as threats from Trump’s supporters against judges who oppose their agenda. He cited Goodstein’s case as part of a troubling trend of intimidation.
Responses from the Political Field
- Goldman’s accusations were directed at President Trump and his allies.
- Stephen Miller, former deputy chief of staff to Trump, called Goldman’s claims “despicable lies.”
- Harmeet Dhillon, a Justice Department official, previously targeted Judge Goodstein in her statements.
Dhillon, responding to criticism, stated that threats against her were being reported to U.S. Marshals, and emphasized the importance of civil discourse. She rejected any connections between her comments and the fire.
As investigations continue, authorities will work to determine the exact cause of the incident while navigating the charged political environment surrounding the case.
