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Judge’s Home Engulfed in Suspected Arson Blaze; Husband Injured, Political Tensions Mount
EDISTO BEACH, SC – A South Carolina Circuit Court judge is recovering after her Edisto Beach home was destroyed in a suspected arson fire over the weekend. While Judge Diane Goodstein, 69, confirmed she is “alright,” her husband, former Democrat state senator Arnold Goodstein, suffered severe injuries escaping the inferno.
The $1.5 million beach house was engulfed in massive flames following what authorities suspect was an arson explosion. Judge Goodstein was reportedly walking on the beach at the time of the incident, but her husband was inside and had to jump from a first-floor window to safety.
Arnold Goodstein sustained multiple broken bones in his hips, legs, and feet from the fall and was airlifted to a hospital. Two other family members, including her son, Arnold Goodstein II, were also hospitalized in connection with the fire.
Speaking to a media outlet on Monday, Judge Goodstein offered a brief health update, adding that she would be “happy to direct you to a court administrator” for further inquiries about the fire.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the blaze. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is reportedly on the scene, coordinating with local law enforcement.
The incident comes weeks after Judge Goodstein received death threats following a controversial ruling. She had prevented the state from releasing sensitive voter registration documents — including names, addresses, birth dates, driver’s license numbers, and the last four digits of Social Security numbers — to the federal government.
This decision put her at odds with the U.S. President’s Department of Justice and South Carolina GOP Governor Henry McMaster, who filed an emergency petition to appeal her ruling and the temporary restraining order.
While investigators have not indicated any specific links between the fire and recent political tensions, the incident has fueled a heated exchange on social media. New York Democrat Congressman Daniel Goldman called on the former President to “speak out against the extreme right that did this,” alleging that members of the administration had been “doxxing and threatening judges who rule against” the former President, including Judge Goodstein. Goldman stated that “Today, someone committed arson on the Judge’s home, severely injuring her husband and son.”
This prompted a strong rebuttal from the former President’s deputy chief of Staff, Steven Miller, who described Goldman’s assertion as “deeply warped and vile” and “despicable.” Miller stated that his focus remained on “delivering public safety and fighting domestic terror.” Goldman subsequently challenged Miller to condemn “the political violence against a judge who ruled against you and your admin.”
In response to the incident, Chief Justice John W. Kittredge issued a statement confirming awareness of the situation involving Judge Goodstein.
The statement noted SLED’s involvement and assured that local law enforcement partners had been alerted to provide extra patrols and security. The Judicial Branch pledged to remain in close communication with SLED as the investigation continues.