Columbia, South Carolina — The president of the South Carolina Association for Justice, the state’s main trial lawyers’ organization, has spoken out in response to a weekend fire at a Lowcountry judge’s home, which left three people hospitalized.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is looking into a fire that broke out Saturday morning at a home in a gated Edisto Beach area owned by Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein and her husband, former Democratic state Senator Arnold Goodstein.
According to authorities, three victims were transported to the Medical University of South Carolina: one was airlifted and two were evacuated by ambulance. The extent of their injuries is unknown.
“Our members are grieved by the news of the fire at Judge Diane Goodstein’s house, and our thoughts are with her, her family, and all those affected. What matters most right now is Judge Goodstein’s safety and that those harmed receive the treatment and assistance they require,” stated SCAJ President Ashley Creech.
Judge Goodstein recently made headlines for his controversial decision to prevent the South Carolina Election Commission from sharing voter registration data with the Justice Department. Though the state Supreme Court ultimately overturned the judgment, it attracted condemnation from some in the Trump administration.
Some have quickly labeled the event as politically motivated, with New York Congressman Daniel Goldman writing on X that “Trump, [Stephen Miller], and MAGA-world have been doxxing and threatening judges who rule against Trump, including Judge Goodstein.”
“Will Trump speak out against the extreme right that did this??” Goldman’s post continued.
Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, responded to X, stating that Goldman’s allegation was “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,” according to Miller.
SLED said on Monday that “there is no evidence to indicate the fire was intentionally set.”
“SLED Agents have preliminarily found that there is no evidence to support a pre-fire explosion,” Chief Mark Keel stated. “The investigation into the fire is still active and ongoing.”
Creech responded to speculation of foul play.
“An attack or threat to a judge is a threat to the rule of law,” according to Creech. “It is profoundly troubling that in our current climate, any judge may face threats or attacks for their decisions. “As a society and a state, we must reject all forms of hostility and intimidation.”
As officials investigate what led Goodstein’s home to erupt in flames, U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R), whose congressional district includes Edisto Beach, calls for immediate action if it is proved to have been premeditated.
“If this was targeted political violence or arson, those responsible must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Mace, who is also running for governor on X. “South Carolina is done with crime, instability, and cowardice. Justice must be served quickly and completely.
