Fire Hits Judge’s Home After Trump Ruling

The home of a South Carolina circuit court judge who recently ruled against President Donald Trump was burned to the ground on Saturday, October 4. 

Judge Diane Goodstein was walking her dogs at the time her Edisto Beach house burst into flames, according to The Post and Courier. 

However, other members of her family inside the home, including her husband, decorated Vietnam War veteran and former Democratic state Sen.

Arnold Goodstein, reportedly sustained serious injuries after jumping from windows and balconies to avoid the blaze. 

A total of three people were hospitalized from the incident, Colleton County Fire Rescue Capt. K.C. Campbell told the newspaper. 

South Carolina Chief Justice John Kittredge initially told FITSNews that the fire appeared to have been caused by “an explosion,” though officials had not corroborated his claim or determined whether the fire was accidental or arson.

Authorities are cautioning against jumping to conclusions while an investigation continues. “Until that determination is made, [State Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel] has alerted local law enforcement to provide extra patrols and security,” he said. 

Keel shared an update on Monday afternoon, October 6, that sought to stop the public from speculating, noting that SLED agents had yet to uncover evidence that the fire was started intentionally or caused by an explosion.

He said agents are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the incident, and promised to share more information when their work is finished.

 Goodstein, 69, had received de@th threats in recent weeks, multiple sources told local news outlet FITSNews, adding a layer of suspicion to the online conversation surrounding the fire. 

Last month, Goodstein ruled to temporarily block the South Carolina election commission from releasing voter files to the Department of Justice as part of Trump’s March executive order aimed at preventing non-citizens from registering to vote, something that is already illegal.

 In her ruling, Goodstein said that turning over the data to the Trump administration could cause “immediate and irreparable damage” to voters’ right to privacy.

Her decision was later overturned by South Carolina’s state Supreme Court and publicly criticized by the state’s Republican Gov. Henry McMaster and DOJ official Harmeet Dhillon. 

Recent acts of political violence have put public figures on edge, following the Sept.

10 shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the murders of Democratic Minnesota House Leader Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and the arson attack on the home of Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.