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By Alia Shoaib
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Authorities investigating a fire at Judge Diane Goodstein’s South Carolina home have said that they have found no evidence of arson.
“At this time, there is no evidence to indicate the fire was intentionally set,” South Carolina Law Enforcement Division’s (SLED) Chief Mark Keel told Newsweek in an emailed statement, adding that agents have found no evidence of a pre-fire explosion.
Keel said: “I urge our citizens, elected officials, and members of the press to exercise good judgment and not share information that has not been verified.”
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Why It Matters
The comments from SLED seek to quell ongoing speculation about the cause of the fire. The incident has sparked debate on social media, along with broader discussions about the climate of hostility toward judges.
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What To Know
Goodstein’s home went up in flames on Saturday, leading to three people including her husband Arnold Goodstein being hospitalized with injuries.
The fire at Goodstein’s home generated attention because the circuit court judge had issued a ruling last month temporarily blocking South Carolina from sharing millions of voters’ personal data with President Donald Trump's administration.
Her ruling was ultimately overturned by South Carolina’s Supreme Court.
Although authorities did not say they had any reason to suspect arson, many on social media began speculating that the fire was linked to increasingly critical rhetoric from Trump allies towards the judiciary.
Democratic Representative Daniel Goldman of New York claimed in a post on X that Republicans, including the president and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, have been "doxxing and threatening judges who rule against Trump, including Judge Goodstein."
“Today, someone committed arson on the judge’s home, severely injuring her husband and son. Will Trump speak out against the extreme right that did this??” Goldman wrote.
Miller responded on X by calling Goldman "deeply warped and vile" and accused him of spreading "libelous madness."
What People Are Saying
Judge Diane Goodstein told British newspaper the Daily Mail she was "all right" following the fire.
South Carolina's Republican Governor Henry McMaster wrote on X: "SLED Chief Mark Keel has announced that at this point in the investigation there is no evidence the horrific fire at Judge Goodstein’s Edisto home was intentionally set. I echo Chief Keel’s call for everyone to exercise good judgment and avoid sharing unverified information while the investigation continues."
What Happens Next
SLED said it will share more information upon the conclusion of its investigation into the fire.
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