Officials undercut Democrat conspiracy theories about judge's tragic house fire



When a judge’s home in South Carolina caught fire on Saturday, those on the left were quick to claim arson, blaming President Donald Trump’s deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, for fueling right-wing extremism and violence.

However, since those initial reports, the South Carolina governor and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division have largely debunked this assertion by stating that the fire does not appear to be a result of arson.

'At this time, there is no evidence to indicate the fire was intentionally set.'

Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein was out on a walk with her dogs when her home went up in flames on Saturday afternoon. Her husband, former South Carolina Sen. Arnold Goodstein (D), was inside the house and was forced to escape out a first-story window, resulting in multiple injuries. Mr. Goodstein and two others were hospitalized.

Democrat politicians immediately started suggesting that the tragic incident may have been the result of arson and, if so, by right-wing extremists.

“Trump, @StephenM and MAGA-world have been doxxing and threatening judges who rule against Trump, including Judge Goodstein,” Rep. Daniel Goldman (D-N.Y.) wrote in a post on X. “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??”

Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.) made a similar connection between Miller and the fire.

“Just yesterday @StephenM called judges ‘terrorists.’ Now a judge’s home has burned after an explosion,” Ansari stated. “We need a full investigation, but it’s undeniable that this rhetoric is dangerous & it makes violence feel permissible. Is @realDonaldTrump going to say or do anything??”

RELATED: Judge's family injured in devastating fire as Democrat slings right-wing arson claims despite unknown cause

Diane Goodstein. Image source: South Carolina Judicial Branch

Izzy Gardon, California Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom’s director of communications, also appeared to blame Trump.

“A few weeks ago, one of Trump’s top DOJ officials publicly targeted this judge,” Gardon wrote. “Today, the judge’s home is on fire.”

On Monday, SLED provided an update on the ongoing investigation.

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Image source: St. Paul's Fire District

“At this time, there is no evidence to indicate the fire was intentionally set. SLED agents have preliminarily found there is no evidence to support a pre-fire explosion,” SLED Chief Mark Keel stated.

Gov. Henry McMaster (R) confirmed those preliminary findings.

“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,” McMaster said.

Blaze News contacted Goldman, Ansari, and Gardon to ask whether they plan to issue revised comments or clarification following SLED’s update.

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Judge's family injured in devastating fire as Democrat slings right-wing arson claims despite unknown cause



A judge's South Carolina home went up in flames on Saturday afternoon, reportedly resulting in three hospitalizations.

Photos and videos of the incident showed large black plumes of smoke engulfing the four-story property. Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein and her husband, former South Carolina Sen. Arnold Goodstein (D), are the owners of the beachfront house, according to local reports.

Judge Goodstein was reportedly out for a walk with her dogs when the blaze broke out. Her husband, who was inside at the time, was forced to jump out a first-floor window, a neighbor told the Post and Courier. According to reports, he sustained multiple injuries, including broken bones in his hips, legs, and feet. He was airlifted to the hospital.

'The family had to escape by jumping from a window or balcony.'

Two other individuals, one of whom is believed to be the couple's son, were also reportedly hospitalized. The extent of their injuries has not been reported.

The South Carolina Supreme Court stated, "Chief Justice John W. Kittredge is aware of an incident involving Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein. At this time, [South Carolina Law Enforcement Division] is on the scene and will begin investigating as soon as the fire has been contained. Local law enforcement partners have been alerted and asked to provide extra patrols and security. The Judicial Branch will remain in close communication with SLED."

While the cause of the fire remains unknown as the investigation continues, Kittredge indicated it was the result of an "apparent explosion."

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Diane Goodstein. Image source: South Carolina judicial website

"Judge Goodstein was walking on the beach when the fire started," Kittredge said. "Her husband, Arnie, was in the house with children and perhaps grandchildren. The family had to escape by jumping from a window or balcony. I'm told there were injuries from the fall, such as broken legs."

"Arnie's injuries may have been the most serious, for he was airlifted to the hospital," he added.

Critics of President Donald Trump have attributed the fire to right-wing extremism, despite the absence of any initial evidence amid the ongoing investigation.

Rep. Daniel Goldman (D-N.Y.) slammed Trump's deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, and others in "MAGA-world" for supposedly "doxxing" judges, including Goodstein.

"Trump, @StephenM and MAGA-world have been doxxing and threatening judges who rule against Trump, including Judge Goodstein," Goldman wrote in a post on X. "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??"

Officials have not, at this point, indicated that the fire was the result of arson.

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Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images

Miller fired back, calling Goldman "deeply warped and vile."

"While the Trump Administration has launched the first-ever government-wide effort to combat and prosecute illegal doxing, sinister threats and political violence you continue to push despicable lies, demented smears, malicious defamation and foment unrest. Despicable," Miller responded.

"Meanwhile, the Democrat AG nominee in Virginia is fantasizing about murdering his opponents," Miller continued, referring to text messages that nominee Jay Jones admitted to sending about former political rival Todd Gilbert, "and a Biden federal judge is showing radical leniency to a monster who tried to assassinate a Supreme Court Justice."

"While you post your libelous madness, we will keep focused on delivering public safety and fighting domestic terror," Miller added.

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GOP firebrand Nancy Mace launches gubernatorial bid, vowing to 'flip the tables'



Republicans nationwide are gearing up for 2026 elections, with Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina being the latest to announce her candidacy.

Mace, who has spent weeks teasing a gubernatorial campaign, formally entered the race Monday morning. Mace is now the second House Republican to enter the South Carolina governor's race, following Rep. Ralph Norman's announcement in July.

'South Carolina doesn't need another politician who folds when things get tough.'

"God’s not done with South Carolina and neither am I," Mace said in her announcement on X. "You and me. Our mission begins now."

Mace launched her campaign during a speech at her alma mater, The Citadel, a military college in Charleston, where she became the first female graduate in 1999.

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Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images

"South Carolina is tired of politicians who smile for the cameras, lie to your face, and then vanish when it's time to leave," Mace said in her announcement speech. "I'm none of them."

"South Carolina needs a governor who will drag the truth into sunlight and flip the table if that's what it takes," Mace added. "South Carolina doesn't need another politician who folds when things get tough."

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Mace will be facing off against Norman as well as state Attorney General Alan Wilson, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, and state Sen. Josh Kimbrell to succeed current Gov. Henry McMaster (R).

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