This past weekend, a dramatic incident unfolded as a house belonging to South Carolina circuit court judge Diane Goodstein was engulfed in flames, leading to a swift and chaotic response from emergency services. In a remarkable twist of political discourse, some Democrats hastily pointed fingers at President Trump, Stephen Miller, and the elusive MAGA faction, treating the fire as a harbinger of political retribution.
However, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) promptly debunked these allegations, issuing a statement that reassured the public: “At this time, there is no evidence to indicate the fire was intentionally set. Preliminary investigations reveal no signs of a pre-fire explosion,” they noted.
Judge Goodstein’s beachfront home, alongside former State Senator Arnold Goodstein, was reduced to ashes on Saturday, dangerously sending three family members to the hospital amid the chaos of the blaze.
Watch below via WCBD News 2:
St. Paul’s Fire District provided a detailed account of the incident:
The SPFD received urgent reports of a structure engulfed in flames on Edisto Island from our automatic aid partners, the Edisto Beach Fire Department. Firefighting units Engine 1403 and Tender 1403, along with Battalion 1407, were first on the scene, quickly followed by Edisto Beach Engine 14 and Ladder 14.
Owing to our effective collaboration with the EBFD, crews launched into action to extinguish the flames and search for any individuals trapped inside. This response was further complicated by the remote location, characterized by restricted water supply and tight access. Thanks to their coordinated efforts, the first responding units managed to safeguard the occupants, who had to escape by jumping from an elevated first floor. Rescuers later brought the homeowners to safety via kayak and transported them to Colleton County EMS for medical assistance.
In what can only be described as an exercise in political opportunism, Rep. Dan Goldman quickly implicated Stephen Miller and the so-called “MAGA world” in this conflagration.
Trump, @StephenM, and MAGA-world 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?? https://t.co/Dl8JcUted7
— Daniel Goldman (@danielsgoldman) October 6, 2025
Despite these incendiary accusations, law enforcement reaffirmed that the fire was not an act of sabotage.
Rep. Dan Goldman stated that President Trump, Stephen Miller, and the “extreme right” bear responsibility for a liberal judge’s home burning to the ground. Law enforcement in South Carolina has conclusively stated there’s no evidence the fire was intentionally set. https://t.co/KtPNRcVy81 pic.twitter.com/MIM0jGdLEY
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) October 6, 2025