President Donald Trump called Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro over the weekend to discuss the recent arson attack on the governor’s official residence, the Democrat told reporters at the annual Easter Egg Hunt in Harrisburg.
Shapiro said he initially let the call go to voicemail because he didn’t recognize the number—Trump used his personal cellphone—but he called him right back when he heard the message.
The two spoke for about 15 minutes and discussed a range of topics beyond the arson attack.
"He was very gracious," Shapiro said. "He asked how Lori and the kids were doing. [We] talked for a couple of minutes about what transpired at the residence, and then we talked for maybe the next 15 minutes or so about a whole host of other topics.
"Obviously, I’m not going to get into our private conversation, but he’s attuned to the issues that are important to me," the governor continued. "I, of course, know the issues that are important to him, and we agreed to stay in touch going forward."
Shortly after the April 13 attack on the official residence, Shapiro said he had heard from Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, but not the president yet.
When President Trump was asked last week if he knew the suspect’s motive, he said he didn’t know but was certain the attacker “was not a fan of Trump.”
“He’s probably just a whack job," Trump added. "And certainly a thing like that cannot be allowed to happen."
Police have charged Cody Balmer, 38, with attempted murder, aggravated arson, burglary, terrorism, and other offenses for starting the fire at the governor’s residence.
Balmer confessed to what he did and said he directed his attack on Shapiro because of what he “wants to do to the Palestinian people.”
